Budget Cuts May Cost MS Chief His Job

Sept. 20 -- MOSS POINT, MS -- Tuesday's budget meeting saw a proposed millage increase voted down 4-2 with aldermen Chuck Redmond and Wayne Lennep voting for the increase.

Because the millage rate will remain at 54.21, $460,000 must be cut from the city's proposed budget for FY19. Mayor Mario King has said that the board has already cut $4 million from the budget and more cuts are coming.

Lack of cash on hand, according to King is causing the board to look at where additional cuts can be made -- one including the elimination of fire chief to create a public safety director.

The public safety director will oversee both the fire and police departments.

"I made the decision with the board about possible cuts where we could eliminate and this is one of the positions we decided on," King said.

The fire department applied for and received a grant for a training officer, according to King and that person essentially performs the same job as the fire chief.

Because fire departments have built-in overtime, King said he and the board decided the department needed restructuring where the city didn't have to pay a surplus of overtime because firefighters work around the clock.

"We consulted the Mississippi State Rating Commission and often time, cities consult police and fire and have a public safety commissioner, however, that's not what we are trying to do," King said. 

The fire chief does not fight fires or control the day-to-day operations, according to King, instead, the chief only handles administrative work.

"The training officer, whose position is grant funded, already handles documentation," King said. "We're eliminating this position because those duties have already been absorbed. We took a long, hard look and ultimately, consolidation provided a more effective and efficient way to save money."

Had the millage increase been approved, it is likely the position of fire chief would have remained as a separate public safety entity. Lennep said at Tuesday's budget meeting cuts could be looming if the hike wasn't approved.

The entire fire department showed at Tuesday's meeting hoping to address the board and present a petition signed by every member of the department in support of Chief Tommy Posey, however, the meeting was adjourned.

Lennep was asked if he knew why the entire department staff showed to the meeting, but said he was unaware as to why, but did want to hear what they had to say.

King adjourned the meeting and said he would rather attend the meeting where the staff could address the board in its entirety.

Battalion Chief David Eaker said the department showed to the meeting to express support for Posey, but said he thought the board ended to meeting early to keep from hearing from them.

"They asked the chief to retire awhile back and thank goodness he didn't, because he has so many good things going for us," Eaker said. "He's been here over 36 years and he's stuck it out with the city. We feel morale would drop if he was let go, in fact, I think we would have more chaos. I think guys would start quitting should chief be fired. There would be nothing to look forward to."

According to King, Brandon Ashley's job as police chief will not be affected and the public safety director will likely come from within the city.

"My goal is to look at where we can cut and without the tax increase, services and jobs will be cut," King said. "We will not overspend. Everyone has been made aware of elimination of positions."

"The city is only as good as the money we can operate with," he said.

The city will adopt the FY19 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

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