On 3 March 2008, the five members of the City Council, along with the City Manager, once again discussed the means in which to fund the SAFER Grant, should it be awarded to the City.  This was the second city council meeting in which this was on the agenda.  There were decisive differences between members of the council on how to handle the funding.  Luckily, the one constant remained to be the fact that all council members agreed there was a critical staffing need within the fire department and that this need could no longer be neglected.  After much discussion from the council and city manager, along with input from Chief Brent and some of the nine members of L-3671 in attendance as well as a few helpful tax payers, the council voted 3-2 to fund the Grant in the following manner: A separated ballot item will be drawn up to ask the voters in May to approve the 10-year plan.  This plan uses an increased city budget line item over the 10 years, along with an augmentation of the sales tax revenue to afford the grant match as well as build up funds in the city budget to maintain funding for these six positions after the grant expires.  Over the first five years, the portion of sales tax revenue that would be used would increase, then decrease down to zero by year 10.

It is important to note that the two members of the council that voted against this motion did so not because they are not in support of the Grant and our needs.  It is actually just the opposite.  They both portrayed a message that this was an issue that was their responsibility and therefore they, as the council, needed to figure out how to handle this without going to the voters on a separate issue.  Luckily, these two supportive members voiced a desire to work with the fire department to provide a forum of public education over the coming weeks to secure a “yes” vote in May.

The L-3671SAFER committee will form a working group with the Fire Chief, City Manager, and two City Councilors (Chris Smith & Steve Magowan) to develop and provide education to the public throughout the city on the staffing needs of the fire department and the benefits of receiving and funding the SAFER Grant.  This working group will begin meeting the week of 10 March 2008.  Please stay tuned for further details.  I would ask and expect all members to play a vital role in these public forums. 

I would like to take a quick moment to thank the members of L-3671 for their support and attendance at these city council meetings.  It is a great show of strength when we have a good show of support for our issues in the public forum.  I would also like to thank the City Manager and the City Council for their support on this issue.  I expect that they will all be along side of us during the coming weeks and at the polls to voice their continued support of this issue.  The intention is to hold these city leaders accountable for our staffing needs.  If you have any questions or ideas, please direct them to myself.  Thanks again to all for your continued support of L-3671.  Stay safe!

Fraternally,

Chris Corbin, President