By Shawntaye Hopkins
The Lexington Herald-Leader
Copyright 2007 Lexington Herald-Leader
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Scott County firefighters and residents yesterday protested a budget passed in Fiscal Court that includes enough money for only three new firefighters after a station in Sadieville opens.
There was little mention of the issue before the court passed the county budget 6-1.
“I just wish that you wouldn’t play politics with the citizens’ and firefighters’ safety,” said Jan Southworth, president of the Scott County Professional Firefighters, near the onset of a contentious debate.
He received a joyous outburst from the crowd.
The applause was followed by gaveling from Scott Judge-Executive George Lusby, who joined magistrates, excluding Chuck Tackett of District 3, in approving the budget. Lusby said he would clear the courtroom if another pep rally-like outburst occurred.
The firefighter’s union wants 12 firefighters hired for the new station so staffs aren’t reduced from four people per shift to three at the other stations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires at least four firefighters at a scene before they can enter a burning structure. One crew would have to wait for a second station to arrive at a fire before entering the building, which could endanger residents and property, firefighters say.
Firefighters contend that there is enough money to staff the new station, and some of them say Lusby is retaliating against them for a grievance filed concerning overtime pay about two months ago.
But Lusby said the fire department has overspent its salary budget because of unscheduled overtime, and he said other projects, such as a reservoir, will need funding.
Lusby said Scott County has more firefighters per capita and better equipment than other Kentucky counties.
The budget includes $1.5 million for firefighters’ salaries, Lusby said. That’s enough for three new hires.
Lusby said the personnel issue will resurface at Fiscal Court before the new station opens.
“Nothing in life is final ... the budget is the blueprint for the ’07-'08 year,” Lusby said before last night’s meeting.
And firefighters plan to keep fighting.
“It’s not over,” said Troy Stansell, another member of the union. He said representatives plan to return to future Fiscal Court meetings.
Yesterday’s Fiscal Court meeting was preceded by a protest of about 30 people on the courthouse sidewalk.
Tackett was the lone dissenter on the panel, which did not include Magistrate Tom Prather of District 6.
Tackett told the court he thought the fire department issue needed to be “looked into.” His brief remarks were the only mention of the issue until Scott County residents and firefighters came forth after the budget was passed.
None of the magistrates brought up the issue at the Fiscal Court’s last meeting when it unanimously passed the budget’s first reading. Tackett said he did not cast a vote at that meeting.
County resident Judy Rembacki scolded the magistrates for not speaking up on the issue.
“George Lusby didn’t give you your jobs,” she said. “The voters of Scott County gave you your jobs.”
After much debate, Rembacki asked the court to re-vote on the budget. Tackett made a motion for the court to hire 12 firefighters. But other magistrates were mum, and the motion was not seconded.