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Council continues discussions on fate of city staff members
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer
The Marlin Democrat
June 22, 2005
The Marlin City Council continued discussing the reorganization of the city during a special workshop session of the council on Thursday, June 16.
Within a new proposal presented to the council by City Manager Randall Holly, the fire department is cut down to 10 members, the Street and Utility Maintenance Departments are combined, and an 8% tax increase is proposed.
In previous discussions, the fire department was proposed to either be cut completely or the staff cut in half to be only 6 drivers. Concerns from citizens and council members about the consequences of cutting the department resulted in the proposal being readjusted, by taking four positions from public works, and a compromise made of keeping 10 members of the department.
The new proposal would still require the city to rely on the Volunteer Fire Department to allow entry in a building to fight a fire. However, instead of the paid firefighters having to wait for the volunteers to be able to do anything towards battling a blaze, they could begin the first steps of fighting a fire with the added staff.
Holly also asked that the fire department be looked at as a possibility to help with the dispatch duties, as well as their enforcing of codes and helping take over janitorial and maintenance work.
However, the proposal recommended the closure of Station #2, located on Live Oak, east of the railroad tracks. Council members voiced their concerns about the delay in a response due the possibility of a train blocking fire engines from getting across town. They stated that was the reason for Station 2 being built in the first place.
Fire Chief Tony Holescher proposed to the council that the station could remain open if they would approve 11 firefighters kept on staff instead of 10, and that he change his hours of work. He explained that as of right now, he works 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. If he were placed on 24-hour combat, which means he’d work 24-hours, then off 48, he would be on duty for 52 hours a week instead of 40 hours a week, and he’d agree to do it at his current pay rate. This would aid in keeping Station 2 opens.
Marlin Police Chief Kerry Blakemore informed the council that his police staff has already dropped by four positions — two officers having found new positions elsewhere, and two due to being let go.
During closing public comments, Wesley Kingley, a Marlin police officer, recommended going to a public safety department versus a separate police and fire department. He explained that they all put their lives at risk every day in their jobs, and he suggested training the firefighters to be police officers, and training police officers to fight fires. He said he himself came to Marlin trained to be a firefighter, police officer and paramedic, he just preferred police work. The city of Woodway operates with a public safety department, and Holly said he would indeed look into it as an option for the future.
Increased revenue was also discussed during the workshop. Council members questioned the lack of code enforcement that has resulted in lots being overgrown and houses to fall into decay. It has also resulted in a lack of income from fines assessed to the property’s owners.
Holly proposed an 8% tax increase to add to the revenues within the General Fund. He explained that every penny of the current tax rate generates approximately $11,000. The tax increase would generate approximately $54,000.
The city has begun advertising for bids for the law maintenance of parks and cemeteries to see if it is more equitable to contract the work out or have it done by city employees.
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer
The Marlin Democrat
June 22, 2005
The Marlin City Council continued discussing the reorganization of the city during a special workshop session of the council on Thursday, June 16.
Within a new proposal presented to the council by City Manager Randall Holly, the fire department is cut down to 10 members, the Street and Utility Maintenance Departments are combined, and an 8% tax increase is proposed.
In previous discussions, the fire department was proposed to either be cut completely or the staff cut in half to be only 6 drivers. Concerns from citizens and council members about the consequences of cutting the department resulted in the proposal being readjusted, by taking four positions from public works, and a compromise made of keeping 10 members of the department.
The new proposal would still require the city to rely on the Volunteer Fire Department to allow entry in a building to fight a fire. However, instead of the paid firefighters having to wait for the volunteers to be able to do anything towards battling a blaze, they could begin the first steps of fighting a fire with the added staff.
Holly also asked that the fire department be looked at as a possibility to help with the dispatch duties, as well as their enforcing of codes and helping take over janitorial and maintenance work.
However, the proposal recommended the closure of Station #2, located on Live Oak, east of the railroad tracks. Council members voiced their concerns about the delay in a response due the possibility of a train blocking fire engines from getting across town. They stated that was the reason for Station 2 being built in the first place.
Fire Chief Tony Holescher proposed to the council that the station could remain open if they would approve 11 firefighters kept on staff instead of 10, and that he change his hours of work. He explained that as of right now, he works 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. If he were placed on 24-hour combat, which means he’d work 24-hours, then off 48, he would be on duty for 52 hours a week instead of 40 hours a week, and he’d agree to do it at his current pay rate. This would aid in keeping Station 2 opens.
Marlin Police Chief Kerry Blakemore informed the council that his police staff has already dropped by four positions — two officers having found new positions elsewhere, and two due to being let go.
During closing public comments, Wesley Kingley, a Marlin police officer, recommended going to a public safety department versus a separate police and fire department. He explained that they all put their lives at risk every day in their jobs, and he suggested training the firefighters to be police officers, and training police officers to fight fires. He said he himself came to Marlin trained to be a firefighter, police officer and paramedic, he just preferred police work. The city of Woodway operates with a public safety department, and Holly said he would indeed look into it as an option for the future.
Increased revenue was also discussed during the workshop. Council members questioned the lack of code enforcement that has resulted in lots being overgrown and houses to fall into decay. It has also resulted in a lack of income from fines assessed to the property’s owners.
Holly proposed an 8% tax increase to add to the revenues within the General Fund. He explained that every penny of the current tax rate generates approximately $11,000. The tax increase would generate approximately $54,000.
The city has begun advertising for bids for the law maintenance of parks and cemeteries to see if it is more equitable to contract the work out or have it done by city employees.
