Firefighters dispute budget suggestion

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile Citizen’s Budget and Finance Advisory Committee came up with says the 2013 shortfall will not be as large as the $29 million deficit the mayor projected, but the committee did come up with some suggestions to cut back spending.

One of the suggestions by Paul Wesch, the chairman of the committee, put before the city council at their Tuesday meeting, has incensed a local firefighter's union.

Wesch suggested that city employees pay more for health care next year. He said the city funds healthcare through budget funds and employee premiums.

To help cut the budget deficit, he suggests that employees pay higher premiums.

Wesch showed current and retired city employees pay less in health care premiums compared to other employees statewide, but the president of a local firefighter’s union thinks it’s a bad idea.

Dwayne Patrick, the president of a firefighters union in Mobile, said, "What he failed to put up was the pay that other cities have compared to what we have.”

According to figures provided by personnel boards, the starting salary for Mobile firefighters is far less compared to other cities:

• Mobile: $29,352
• Montgomery: $35,403
• Birmingham: $35,609

Dwayne Patrick has been in the department for 22 years, and says he can't afford to go anywhere else.

He says his fellow firefighters live paycheck-to-paycheck.

Patrick said, "If we would've been getting our raises like we were supposed to the past five to seven years, then yeah, I can see us helping the city to get by these tough times."

Patrick will speak to the city council to discourage the committee’s idea.

"We’re losing people left and right, going to other cities for other higher-paying jobs or jobs that are the same with better benefits,” said Patrick.

But, Wesch pointed out after the meeting, that this was merely a suggestion, and the committee will be looking at other ways to cut money too.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones disputes the committee's budget findings. He says their numbers are inaccurate. Jones says his budget will be finished within the week.

Mobile City Councilman John Williams believes this is an option that could be considered.

Mayor Jones' spokesperson says he has already been considering a hike in healthcare premiums for next year.