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Hazelwood City Council: Asking Why Cost For . . .
Robertson Firefighters
Higher Than City’s
The Hazelwood City Council during its Oct. 17 meeting demanded to know why Robertson’s costs per employee are dramatically higher when compared to the Hazelwood Fire Department (HFD). In a cost comparison between Robertson and the City, their cost per employee is $46,000 higher than Hazelwood’s, according to city council members. Their departmental costs are $62,000 higher per employee as well.
From 2016 to 2017, costs went up $9,000 per employee. Employee costs include all employee costs, such as wages, overtime, health insurance, and pension. Departmental costs include all operating costs except for bond payments and capital expenses. The cost comparisons are drawn from the certified Robertson and Hazelwood annual audits, Hazelwood contends.
”On a yearly basis, we have been paying Robertson Fire Protection District nearly $4 million dollars to provide fire service for our residents in their jurisdiction. Since we’re paying them this much money, we deserve some accountability and transparency from Robertson on how this money is spent,” Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson said. “Robertson’s excessive spending has made their services no longer affordable. They’ve priced themselves out of the North County market.”
The City Council questioned whether the fees paid to Robertson are excessive, particularly since the Council members know using the Hazelwood Fire Department to provide fire services for local residents living in RFPD’s jurisdiction would save taxpayers about $1.8 million per year.
Ms. Clara Faatz, a retiree who has lived in Hazelwood for the past 50 years, is leading an effort to organize a Citizens Committee to go out and collect signatures from residents for a petition to put the IGA referendum on the April 2, 2019, ballot.
A spokesman for Hazelwood said the City Council supports her efforts and is ready for the City to provide the same high quality fire service and EMS response times for all residents in Hazelwood. The City has pledged to maintain a third Fire Station in the Robertson service area staffed with 18 firefighter/paramedics and fire apparatus equipment and ambulance purchased from Robertson. Because of HFD’s ability to provide the same high quality service and fast response times at a lower cost, the City will be able to save popular programs and offer equal services across the board to the whole City.
Judge Dismisses Roberton’s Suit
On Oct. 18, Judge Stanley Wallach ruled that the dispute between the Hazelwood and Robertson Fire District board is a matter the court will have to decide. The judge dismissed Robertson’s lawsuit seeking sanctions and ruled that Hazelwood’s actions in terminating the contract are a matter for the court to decide. Judge Wallach stated that “it was only after the district (Robertson) saw Hazelwood’s counterclaims that it sought contempt sanctions.
The County Circuit Court “finds the pleadings in the Contract Action frame a dispute that must be resolved on its merits and that “the city should not be held in contempt for asserting its defenses and counterclaims.” It was therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the “motions for sanctions arising from content are denied.”
City officials said they are prepared to meet with the Robertson Board of Directors at any mutually convenient time and location to discuss how to best provide fire and ambulance services to the joint residents in this area of Hazelwood.
