Mandatory Overtime Resolution Pending at Texas Agency

Dec. 23--Mandatory overtime within a short-handed Corsicana Fire Department may see some sort of resolution soon.

A decision by Navarro County leaders expected next week on who they'll use for ambulance service will give city leaders an idea on whether they need to fill six empty positions within the department, or cut down on the number of ambulances the city staffs.

There are currently six empty positions within the fire department and EMS service -- roughly the number of personnel needed to staff one ambulance on a full-time basis, said City Manager Connie Standridge.

The city has held off filling those spots while waiting to see if Navarro County decides to continue utilizing the Corsicana Fire Department for ambulance service in the county. County leaders wouldn't pay the subsidy Corsicana requested, and the city canceled the contract to provide county ambulance service, effective Jan. 31, 2015 -- a little more than a month away.

That's created the need to require "mandatory overtime" within the Corsicana Fire Department to fill the gaps created by the six empty positions, plus regular absences from duty schedules due to illness, injury vacation, or training, explained Standridge.

"They have a 'voluntary' (overtime) list and those are the first ones that are called, but if the don't get any 'takers' from that voluntary list they have to go to the mandatory list. That's been a concern with some of the firefighters," Standridge said.

She said about 86 percent of the overtime in the 4th quarter of the year has been voluntary; 14 percent was mandatory.

The city's mandatory overtime policy for firefighters was developed by the firefighters themselves, and not the city, Standridge explained.

A proposal from Standridge to reduce the number of engines the city staffs per shift from four to three on a temporary basis to help reduce the need for firefighter overtime met with disapproval from firefighters and the fire chief, she said.

"In a meeting with (firefighter) Jerry Smithey and (Fire Capt.) Darren Yates, they said absolutely not," Standridge said. "They would prefer to continue with the mandatory overtime as it is."

That would have to continue until the city hears back from the county, she said.

Councilman Tom Wilson praised the work of the firemen and EMS crews, saying their quick response likely saved his wife Daun's life recently. He expressed concern on the possible impact of mandatory overtime on personnel retention.

"When we lose a firefighter to another city are they quitting because of this," he asked.

Personnel Director Pam Gibson said some firefighters do mention overtime as a reason for leaving employment with the city.

"It is a problem," said Smithey.

Standridge said she'd had a number of meetings with firefighters covering several issues, many of which could be handled, but not the mandatory overtime.

"I don't have an idea on how to address that. That's why I'm talking to you," Standridge told council members.

Should the city renew its contract with the county for ambulance service, filling those empty positions is a necessity, Standridge said. Should the county no longer use city EMS, the council will need to decide if it will continue to fund those six positions or eliminate one ambulance from its structure.

Mayor Chuck McClanahan said he was told a decision would be made by the county by Dec. 31.

"I hope so," said County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr. when asked if that timetable was accurate, but meeting that timetable will necessitate calling a special meeting of the commissioners court, which he said could possibly be held Monday.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING BRIEFS

Duplex development tabled

Council tabled action on a zoning change request for a planned development between Highway 22 and Dobbins Crossing. Neil Smith of Pyramid Investments is proposing to build 25 duplexes on the property near the intersection of Dobbins and Highway 22. The proposal brought opposition from four of six adjacent landowners contacted for comment.

Smith said he understood concerns voiced at the meeting but said the development would be different from other complexes in Corsicana. He said the planned gated community would likely draw teachers, physicians and nurses as tenants for the duplexes.

"It's multi-family high density housing, I don't care what you call it," said John Harper III, who owns a total of 25 acres near the proposed development. "What's it going to look like in 15 years? How many owners are we going to go through in 15 years?"

"Anything on that mesquite pasture other than mesquite will increase the value of that area," said Patti Taylor, who represents the developer but said her comments were on behalf of progress for the city. "This is a step toward progress."

In the end, the council voted unanimously to table the request for further study.

Change OK'd for restaurant

A zoning change to pave the way for construction of a new Burger King restaurant at the corner of West State Highway 31 and 45th Street was approved by a vote of 5-0. City Manager Connie Standridge said the property owner has plans for other retail and even residential development in a 200 acres tract at that intersection. She also said another restaurant is planned in the immediate area but could not disclose any additional information at this time.

Additional depository OK'd

The council voted to authorize Regions Bank as an additional depository for the city, and authorized the finance director and city manager to sign the necessary forms.

Investment policy renewed

In a formality, the council approved the annual review of the city's collateralization policy, adding Regions Bank as a depository for the city.

Fire engine purchase amended

Council approved an increase of $30,000 in the proposed lease/purchase of a fire engine for the city. Costs have increased since plans for the purchase began. The city is expected to take delivery on the new engine after the first of the year for a total cost of $380,000.

Body armor sale approved

Council approved a request to declare a custom-fitted body armor as salvage for the purpose of selling to the Ennis Police Department. An officer left CPD to go to work for Ennis. The Ennis Police Department is purchasing the custom-fitted piece from Corsicana for the officer to use in his new position. Corsicana Police Chief Randy Bratton said because the piece was custom-fit, no other officer would be able to use it.

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Bob Belcher may be reached by email at bbelcher@corsicanadailysun.com

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