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Belleair Bluffs tout Largo Fire Rescue
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 |
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BELLEAIR BLUFFS – Citizens who turned out at City Hall Tuesday night for what was billed as an “informational meeting and fire issue presentation” were given a clear message: the only viable fire services option is a deal with Largo.
Belleair Bluffs Fire Chief Patrick Competelli gave what was basically a farewell speech. He spoke of the strides the department had made under his leadership and concluded by telling the residents they will be “more than satisfied with services provided by the Largo Fire Department.”
Largo Chief Michael Wallace followed with a detailed presentation of the benefits offered by his department. Wallace previously made his case at the June’s commission workshop meeting.
He cited the Largo department’s size (133 people), reputation (a fully accredited full services department) and a long relationship with the Bluffs department. Services ranging from fire suppression to community education and health screenings were offered. All current Bluffs firefighters would be given a job, with most receiving the same or more pay. The exception is the four fire lieutenants, who Wallace said are currently being paid well above the mid-range on the Largo scale.
The Largo fire package will cost the city $244,000 a year vs. an estimated $747,000 to keep the Bluffs department at its current service level. Largo is offering “a better level of service at a lower cost, and no one will lose their job,” Wallace said.
The commissioners indicated their satisfaction with the Largo offer, though most expressed disappointment that the pullout of Belleair would mean the end of the Bluffs department.
“I personally would rather have had Belleair continue, but that did not happen. Largo is the next best option,” Commissioner Jack Nazario said. He also said a lower city millage rate would result.
Commissioner Hunt Brand predicted a consolidation of fire departments in the county would leave three: Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Largo.
“I do approve of this move,” Brand said, adding, “regardless of who provides fire services we are still a city.”
The word “merger,” which had been used previously to describe the Bluffs-Largo match-up, was missing from Wallace’s presentation, and that concerned Commissioner Suzy Sofer and fire union representative Gerard Devivo.
“I was disappointed to hear this is no longer a merger. We will really have to depend on the people negotiating (to look out for the firefighters),” Sofer said.
Devivo explained in a comment made outside of the meeting that a merger between the two departments would have offered pay and seniority benefit guarantees not available in a contract for services. In contract negotiations “we are at the mercy of the commission,” he said.
Sofer also expressed concern over the possible loss of the Bluffs fire station in a future plan mentioned by Wallace.
“I know we’re talking long-range,” she said, “but I don’t want to lose the presence of Station 43.”
Wallace said issues such as the status of senior firefighters and the fire station location would be a part of negotiations and would have to be brought before the Largo city Commission. If the Bluffs commission makes those issues a priority, they will be addressed, he promised.
Mayor Chris Arbutine gave an impassioned plea for the citizens to allow the commission to negotiate with Largo.
“Is contracting with Largo the best decision? Yes it is,” he said. Arbutine said he had put his heart and soul into the Bluffs department over the years. “But now we are asking you for the ability to negotiate a solution without raising taxes.”
Though a crowd of about 75 citizens turned out to hear the presentation, only three spoke on the issue. However, there were others who turned in comment cards that were read.
Most comments were on issues previously covered, such as keeping the Bluffs fire station and the cost of retaining the fire department.
Former Commissioner Wallace Witham charged the commission was presenting only one side of the referendum question in urging citizens to vote yes to negotiations with Largo. “I am very disappointed so far,” he said.
Former Mayor John Diller, who was in office when the Bluffs department first partnered with Belleair, was asked following the meeting for his view. “Largo is offering a very generous contract. I have to conclude that this is the way to go,” he said.
Tax reference stripped from referendum wording
Following the advice of acting City Attorney John Hubbard and the urging of former Commissioner David Shimkus, the commission agreed to delete wording from the Sept. 1 referendum question which said the city would be contracting for fire services “in order to avoid raising taxes within the City.”
Shimkus contends the city could keep the department without a tax increase. Hubbard said the tax question was a separate decision from the contract negotiations.
The referendum question now reads, “Shall the city of Belleair Bluffs contract with a third party for the provision of primary fire services?”
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Article published on Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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