BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE— As soon as the presentation on balancing the budget was completed, county commissioners were presented with additional requests to spend.
The requests were based on equity, morale and the need to retain experienced and skilled personnel.
Bradford County Fire Rescue Chief Ben Carter told the commission that his and other agencies around the state providing direct care Medicaid services were surprised to learn they are required to begin paying a $15 an hour minimum wage on Oct. 1.
“This mandate got slipped into a 528-page bill that nobody across the state of Florida in fire rescue knew about,” Carter said.
Unlike the sheriff’s office, which received more than $500,000 from the state to raise starting salaries for deputies and corrections officers to $45,000, the minimum wage mandate for fire rescue comes with no financial assistance.
Based on this previously unknown requirement, the finance office worked to place more money in the budget to pay those employees. While it might seem like a gift to them, it’s a nightmare for their administrator who must now cope with the problems of payroll compression.
Carter told the commission that come Oct. 1, everyone in emergency medical services will make $15 an hour, regardless of whether they are new hires or have worked for the county for several years. Differentiation by experience or skill level —EMT or paramedic — is out the window.
Carter said he has spent hours with the union working for something more equitable, and he requested an additional $317,000 for personnel costs from the commission.
“I understand that creates an issue with public perception, with finances currently within the county. But, board, I’m worried that by not doing something for these employees — across the board for every single one of these employees — then we’re going to lose really good providers,” he said. “As chief of the department, I’m trying to keep this department whole and not let this impact not only the people in the department, but the services as well that are being provided.”
Carter said this was one of several possible plans and told commissioners he would sit down with them individually to answer all of their questions.
Commission Chairman Chris Dougherty said emergency medical services is not the only department dealing with payroll compression. Others are dealing with it through attrition and hiring freezes, using the unspent money to fund pay raises. He asked Carter where in his department could he do the same.
The board recently agreed Carter could fill the position he left vacant when promoted. While saying it was unwise, Carter said he could cut the position, saving almost $114,000.
“I would be willing to do that to make sure these employees get a fair shake,” he said.
Commissioner Kenny Thompson pointed to other departments that have sacrificed, including the road department which has cut positions and has one administrator wearing six hats. Tax Collector Teresa Phillips recently lost a star employee with more than 20 years of experience. Phillips said the employee was making $36,000 after 23 years.
Dougherty said they need to address the costs within the fire rescue department, which also has a union contract adding costs on top of the mandates. He referred to them as “raises on top of raises.” He wanted to see cuts.
Fire rescue cut an ambulance at the beginning of the budgeting process — savings nullified by growing costs. The only way to continue to cut is to cut services, Carter said.
“We definitely don’t want to do that,” he said.
Commissioner Danny Riddick said the constitutional officers are giving percentage raises in order to retain experienced employees. He wanted to see the commission’s departments such as public works receive 5% as well. He placed the cost at $283,000, less than requested to solely address the compression issue in fire rescue, but enough to do something.
The chairman balked at spending more.
“Right now I need a tourniquet,” Dougherty responded, saying there are no new revenue streams to support additional spending. “It’s not advocating for more fees and taxes in this county. It’s advocating for catching up to where the bottom line is,” he said.
Carter said will be meeting with commissioners to continue talking about a solution.
The county’s first budget hearing is on Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
