City accepts township counterproposal on fire, EMS contracts; votes to extend negotiations for firefighters, police
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The city of Hillsboro has voted to accept a counterproposal from area townships for an 18-percent increase for fire services, with the condition EMS services be provided at no additional charge through 2011.
During the 20-minute long special council meeting it was also decided to extend negotiations for wages and salaries for the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Firefighters.
In May the city began negotiation the costs of the fire contracts with Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint, Penn and Washington townships. Earlier this year townships had proposed a 12 percent increase over the 2010 rates, and the city of Hillsboro made a counter proposal of 18 percent over the 2010 fire contract rate and providing EMS services until June 1, 2011. After that date, the city said it would charge the township $637 for each EMS run. The townships submitted a letter to the city, dated Nov. 16, saying they would agree to the 18 percent increase in 2011 for the fire contract only provided, however, that the city of Hillsboro continue to provide EMS services to the townships at no extra charge through, and including, Dec. 21, 2011.
The Ohio revised code prohibits levy funds designated to pay for fire services to be used for EMS services. Most of the townships have indicated they will need to take the issue of a separate EMS levy to the voters. The city previously had not included EMS charges in the fire contracts.
The city's initial contract proposal to the townships had increases between 42 percent and 76.34 percent for the individual townships.
Council president Lee Koogler asked council members Tuesday, who had been given copies of the township letter prior to the meeting, if they had read it. Council members indicated they had read the letter.
"Council is in a position, obviously, to negotiate," Koogler said. "That's not our job, but our job is certainly to ratify actions that are taken in regard to it."
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said that he was asking council to act on the matter.
"If you are pleased with it, I guess you need to act on it," Holt said. "If there are questions or issues, I guess you need to discuss it."
The townships stated in the letter that according to the Highland County Board of Elections there will be no primarily election in 2011. Township leaders have previously told The Highland County Press that running a special election would be too expensive for each township.
Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that the city administration office contacted each of the seven townships, and that Washington Township leadership said they intend to run a special election in May for an EMS levy.
"So, that's one township that's taking action to move forward," Zink said.
"I think that they are essentially ... trying, and the city is wanting to try as well, to continue the relationship and make it, ultimately where it is peaceable for both parties," Koogler said. Council member Mary Brown Turner said, "I read that they don't think we're serious."
Koogler asked Turner, "Serious from what standpoint?"
"Serous from the standpoint that what we have been doing so far is covering with our fire department while at the same time providing this (EMS) service without a price," Turner said. "And the coffer has to be paid ... That's just like a gift and it's costing us over $600 for it. It's costing us money to do this. Our generosity is costing us money."
Koogler said that the city does have some compensation from what they bill, so some funds are coming in.
"It's a question of (if) we're going to work with them to get to where we need to be," Koogler said.
Zink said that as of August, there were 475 runs by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue in the city limits, and 509 runs in the townships, and that they traveled 2,075 more miles in the townships than in the city.
"We billed $431,277 and we received $159,403," Zink said.
Council member Bill Alexander said he felt the townships were trying to work with the city on the matter.
"I feel this is a good faith effort on the part of the townships," Alexander said. "They have indicated they want to put this on the ballot and if (the city extends the services to the end of the year) would help them and would allow us the opportunity to continue with the service, I think that's a very commendable idea."
Council member Rod Daniels said, "That 18 percent looks accommodating, but if you start factoring in the EMS costs, that is by no means an 18-percent increase if we continue to provide that service throughout the whole year."
Council member and finance committee chairperson Peter Pence said he felt that in Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, the department has been built around providing services to the townships.
"Basically, you're going to take a loss for next year in the hopes of getting something worked out long-term," Pence said. "One of the problems I think that we have is that our whole department has been built to service not only the city of Hillsboro, but the townships as well. We either need to make the decision to serve just the city of Hillsboro and nobody else or get something worked out to where it makes sense to continue the service. I certainly don't want to just cut the service off to them. But I think there needs to be an understanding that we have a year here to get things hammered out, and if we don't, we're going to have to do what is best for the city of Hillsboro."
Koogler said that the counterproposal, "is not a fix, it's hopefully a bridge to get us to a fix."
Council member Dave Shoemaker asked how long the city has been providing the services to the townships. After some discussion Fire Chief Jerry Powell said that the city started doing it in 1977-78, and has never just provided services to the city, that the townships have always been included.
Zink said that the citizens of Hillsboro have passed an earnings tax that was to support EMS services, which is helping support the townships.
The the letter to the city, written by legal counsel to the townships Jim Grandey, the following requirements were noted:
"As to 2012 and beyond, there are numerous issues that will need to be negotiated including, but not limited to the following: 1.) The contracts will need to be multi-year and tied to and contingent upon the respective tax levies; 2.) If there is to be yearly increases how much and how calculated; 3.) Any reimbursement the city receives from insurance companies, etc. must be paid over to the respective townships; 4.) The city will need to provide an accounting of the costs and number of runs as well as reimbursements received (perhaps on a quarterly basis) in order that all parties will have historical data for future negotiations."
Grandey began the letter by saying that the townships were "extremely pleased' with the "services, professionalism and dedication" of the members of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue and "the townships look forward to a continued relationship."
Additionally, he wrote that since there will be no primary election, "the earliest the townships will be able to place a levy on the ballot will be November 2011. Therefore, the specifics of the contracts for 2012 and beyond will need to be finalized no later than the end of July 2011 in order to meet the early August 2011 filing deadlines for getting the resolution to the board of elections."
Alexander made a motion to accept the the townships' counterproposal of the 18-percent increase, and extend EMS services through to the end of December 2011.
Council voted 5-2 to accept the proposal with Daniels and Turner voting against the measure.
Council also voted 7-0 to extend contract negotiations with the FOP and IAFF.
"I got a request from the FOP and the fire unions to extend negotiations," Holt said. "Their contracts are up - the fire is up Dec. 31 and the FOP, this is an opening for insurance and wages, they (also) requested an extension also through Dec. 31, so we can negotiate past that point."
Holt said that 45 days prior to when a contract is due an extension may be requested, and that has been done by both unions.
"And you believe that is necessary in this state of the negotiations," Koogler asked.
Holt said he did think it was necessary, "with the issues we've had with insurance and what we need to do, because we're working with two different entities here and trying to negotiate with them both at the same time is kind of difficult."
Pence asked if it were possible to have a contract worked out before the end of the the year, even if council approved the extension.
"We're going to try to have it done by the first of the year," Holt said. "But if it goes over, this covers them and us."
Council member Brian Waller made a motion to extend the contracts by 30 days, and it was seconded by Turner. The measure passed unanimously.
Following the meeting, Holt told The Highland County Press that when the FOP and IAFF contracts were up in 2009 they were extended for 2010 with no increases. He said that he could not immediately recall the last time there were negotiated wages increases from the unions. When asked if they were asking for wages increases now Holt said he could not answer, as the negotiations are ongoing.
The city of Hillsboro has voted to accept a counterproposal from area townships for an 18-percent increase for fire services, with the condition EMS services be provided at no additional charge through 2011.
During the 20-minute long special council meeting it was also decided to extend negotiations for wages and salaries for the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Firefighters.
In May the city began negotiation the costs of the fire contracts with Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint, Penn and Washington townships. Earlier this year townships had proposed a 12 percent increase over the 2010 rates, and the city of Hillsboro made a counter proposal of 18 percent over the 2010 fire contract rate and providing EMS services until June 1, 2011. After that date, the city said it would charge the township $637 for each EMS run. The townships submitted a letter to the city, dated Nov. 16, saying they would agree to the 18 percent increase in 2011 for the fire contract only provided, however, that the city of Hillsboro continue to provide EMS services to the townships at no extra charge through, and including, Dec. 21, 2011.
The Ohio revised code prohibits levy funds designated to pay for fire services to be used for EMS services. Most of the townships have indicated they will need to take the issue of a separate EMS levy to the voters. The city previously had not included EMS charges in the fire contracts.
The city's initial contract proposal to the townships had increases between 42 percent and 76.34 percent for the individual townships.
Council president Lee Koogler asked council members Tuesday, who had been given copies of the township letter prior to the meeting, if they had read it. Council members indicated they had read the letter. Representatives from the townships were not present at the meeting.
"Council is in a position, obviously, to negotiate," Koogler said. "That's not our job, but our job is certainly to ratify actions that are taken in regard to it."
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said that he was asking council to act on the matter.
"If you are pleased with it, I guess you need to act on it," Holt said. "If there are questions or issues, I guess you need to discuss it."
The townships stated in the letter that according to the Highland County Board of Elections there will be no primarily election in 2011. Township leaders have previously told The Highland County Press that running a special election would be too expensive for each township.
Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that the city administration office contacted each of the seven townships, and that Washington Township leadership said they intend to run a special election in May for an EMS levy.
"So, that's one township that's taking action to move forward," Zink said.
"I think that they are essentially ... trying, and the city is wanting to try as well, to continue the relationship and make it, ultimately where it is peaceable for both parties," Koogler said. Council member Mary Brown Turner said, "I read that they don't think we're serious."
Koogler asked Turner, "Serious from what standpoint?"
"Serous from the standpoint that what we have been doing so far is covering with our fire department while at the same time providing this (EMS) service without a price," Turner said. "And the coffer has to be paid ... That's just like a gift and it's costing us over $600 for it. It's costing us money to do this. Our generosity is costing us money."
Koogler said that the city does have some compensation from what they bill, so some funds are coming in.
"It's a question of (if) we're going to work with them to get to where we need to be," Koogler said.
Zink said that as of August, there were 475 runs by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue in the city limits, and 509 runs in the townships, and that they traveled 2,075 more miles in the townships than in the city.
"We billed $431,277 and we received $159,403," Zink said.
Council member Bill Alexander said he felt the townships were trying to work with the city on the matter.
"I feel this is a good faith effort on the part of the townships," Alexander said. "They have indicated they want to put this on the ballot and if (the city extends the services to the end of the year) would help them and would allow us the opportunity to continue with the service, I think that's a very commendable idea."
Council member Rod Daniels said, "That 18 percent looks accommodating, but if you start factoring in the EMS costs, that is by no means an 18-percent increase if we continue to provide that service throughout the whole year."
Council member and finance committee chairperson Peter Pence said he felt that in Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, the department has been built around providing services to the townships.
"Basically, you're going to take a loss for next year in the hopes of getting something worked out long-term," Pence said. "One of the problems I think that we have is that our whole department has been built to service not only the city of Hillsboro, but the townships as well. We either need to make the decision to serve just the city of Hillsboro and nobody else or get something worked out to where it makes sense to continue the service. I certainly don't want to just cut the service off to them. But I think there needs to be an understanding that we have a year here to get things hammered out, and if we don't, we're going to have to do what is best for the city of Hillsboro."
Koogler said that the counterproposal, "is not a fix, it's hopefully a bridge to get us to a fix."
Council member Dave Shoemaker asked how long the city has been providing the services to the townships. After some discussion Fire Chief Jerry Powell said that the city started doing it in 1977-78, and has never just provided services to the city, that the townships have always been included.
Zink said that the citizens of Hillsboro have passed an earnings tax that was to support EMS services, which is helping support the townships.
The the letter to the city, written by legal counsel to the townships Jim Grandey, the following requirements were noted:
"As to 2012 and beyond, there are numerous issues that will need to be negotiated including, but not limited to the following: 1.) The contracts will need to be multi-year and tied to and contingent upon the respective tax levies; 2.) If there is to be yearly increases how much and how calculated; 3.) Any reimbursement the city receives from insurance companies, etc. must be paid over to the respective townships; 4.) The city will need to provide an accounting of the costs and number of runs as well as reimbursements received (perhaps on a quarterly basis) in order that all parties will have historical data for future negotiations."
Grandey began the letter by saying that the townships were "extremely pleased' with the "services, professionalism and dedication" of the members of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue and "the townships look forward to a continued relationship."
Additionally, he wrote that since there will be no primary election, "the earliest the townships will be able to place a levy on the ballot will be November 2011. Therefore, the specifics of the contracts for 2012 and beyond will need to be finalized no later than the end of July 2011 in order to meet the early August 2011 filing deadlines for getting the resolution to the board of elections."
Alexander made a motion to accept the the townships' counterproposal of the 18-percent increase, and extend EMS services through to the end of December 2011.
Council voted 5-2 to accept the proposal with Daniels and Turner voting against the measure.
Council also voted 7-0 to extend contract negotiations with the FOP and IAFF.
"I got a request from the FOP and the fire unions to extend negotiations," Holt said. "Their contracts are up - the fire is up Dec. 31 and the FOP, this is an opening for insurance and wages, they (also) requested an extension also through Dec. 31, so we can negotiate past that point."
Holt said that 45 days prior to when a contract is due an extension may be requested, and that has been done by both unions.
"And you believe that is necessary in this state of the negotiations," Koogler asked.
Holt said he did think it was necessary, "with the issues we've had with insurance and what we need to do, because we're working with two different entities here and trying to negotiate with them both at the same time is kind of difficult."
Pence asked if it were possible to have a contract worked out before the end of the the year, even if council approved the extension.
"We're going to try to have it done by the first of the year," Holt said. "But if it goes over, this covers them and us."
Council member Brian Waller made a motion to extend the contracts by 30 days, and it was seconded by Turner. The measure passed unanimously.
Following the meeting, Holt told The Highland County Press that when the FOP and IAFF contracts were up in 2009 they were extended for 2010 with no increases. He said that he could not immediately recall the last time there were negotiated wages increases from the unions. When asked if they were asking for wages increases now Holt said he could not answer, as the negotiations are ongoing.