Fanning the flames of an already hot debate raging between the local firefighters union and county administration, Charlotte County Commission Chairman Chris Constance broached a topic that until now few have wanted to mention in the ongoing standoff between the county and its largest collective-bargaining unit — privatization.

“If we continue to have issues with negotiations, at what point do we sit down and explore the option of privatization? There’s your 900-pound gorilla,” Constance said at a workshop meeting Tuesday to discuss county goals and objectives for 2013.