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Largo pitches fire service to Belleair Bluffs
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 |
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BELLEAIR BLUFFS – Just a few years back, any talk of losing the city’s long-established fire department would bring out crowds of protesting citizens. A provision was even inserted in the city charter requiring any change in the department status to be approved by a referendum vote.
Today, a financially-strapped Belleair Bluffs fire department faces a probable merger with Largo. Yet, few citizens turned out at the June 8 City Commission workshop meeting to hear Largo fire Chief Michael Wallace present his case for a move that would end the Bluffs department’s independence.
The department’s existence became problematic last month when Belleair decided to move its fire services contract to Largo, severing a longtime partnership that supplied the Bluffs department with nearly half of its revenue.
Keeping the department would require a significant tax increase for residents, Mayor Chris Arbutine had warned.
The advantages of contracting with Largo, summed up as “very good fire services at a reliable cost,” were outlined by Wallace.
Belleair Bluffs’ costs of running the department next year would be reduced from $747,000 to $244,000, Wallace said. That expense could be further cut by rent payments from the city of Largo for lease of the Bluffs fire station and fire engine. Future increases would be determined by the Municipal Cost Index, which has averaged 3 percent a year over the past seven years, Wallace said. A maximum 5 percent yearly increase would apply.
The Largo Fire Department has a 20-plus year relationship with the Bluffs department, and provided its administrative services for eight years.
“We’ve worked together on the engine and in the station, and worked closely on a regular basis with your commission and city staff,” Wallace said.
Largo has a fully accredited, 133-person department, offering excellence in fire suppression, code enforcement and fire prevention, and fire investigation, the chief said. Health screenings and open houses would be available to citizens, along with continuation of the popular Santa deliveries at Christmas. Community education in life safety issues would be a priority, such as pool safety surveys, smoke alarm installation and home safety inspections.
As for the firefighters, Wallace said “no one will lose their job” and the rank and file members will not have a pay cut.
“Most will get higher pay,” Wallace indicated.
The Largo department is well familiar with the Bluffs department’s personnel, and the equipment and apparatus is compatible, Wallace noted.
“I found nothing to cause me any concern that this would not be an easy transition,” he said.
Questioned by Commissioner Hunt Brand about the status of the Bluffs fire station on Indian Rocks Road, Wallace said it would remain open, at least for the near future. Following the transition, which is expected to be Oct. 1, “calls will still come in, engines will still go out, personnel will respond,” Wallace said.
The firefighters would likely change, as Wallace said he wants the employees to be homogenous. Keeping the Bluffs firefighters together and the station “segregated” – as he put it – could create an “us vs. them” attitude.
“If I mix everybody up, we become homogenous, no special treatment,” he said.
The station could also change, if the planned placement of a new station about two miles south on Indian Rocks Road becomes a reality, Wallace indicated. He also said that the property across from city hall that Belleair Bluffs purchased as a potential fire station site could be a consideration in future site planning.
Mayor Chris Arbutine and Commissioner Hunt Brand declared themselves in favor of merging the Bluffs department with Largo.
“I’m for a contract with Largo,” said Arbutine.
The Largo move is “a good idea,” Brand said, adding, “The only other option is to raise taxes, and we don’t want to do that.”
The tax hike required to keep the Bluffs department could be steep, according to figures provided by City Clerk Debra Sullivan. Costs to retain the department as is would run about $340 per year for the average taxpayer vs. $110 to contract with Largo. The overall increase in the budget would drive the millage rate up about 62 percent. Brand warned that there is “no wiggle room” in the city budget.
“(The forecasted increases) are the minimum it is going to go up,” he said.
A referendum vote on the fire issue, as required by law, is scheduled to be held Sept. 1, to allow for an Oct. 1 transition date. An all-mail ballot is planned.
Mayor Arbutine was granted permission to begin discussions with Largo to create an interlocal agreement for the departments’ merger.
A statement expressing the Bluffs firefighters’ support for a merger with Largo was issued on by firefighter Macho Liberti, spokesperson for the Belleair Bluffs Fire Fighters’ Association.
Bridge speeders nabbed
Judging by the number of citations issued during its opening days, many motorists are viewing the new causeway bridge as the Belleair Beach Speedway.
Sgt. Joe Gerretz of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reported that 40 citations for speeding were issued on May 29 alone, most of them for doing 50 to 70 miles per hour.
“A significant amount were in the 70 m.p.h. range,” he said.
The speed limit on the bridge is 30 m.p.h.
The thrill of a fast ride can be expensive. Gerretz noted that fines are doubled when construction work is in progress. Motorists can expect to be hit for $600 to $700 when caught doing the higher speeds with workers present.
As a further speed deterrent, Mayor Arbutine announced that a fixed radar showing the car’s speed is planned to be installed on the bridge when construction work is completed.
Trash pick-up days changed
The city’s waste hauler is changing its pick-up days from Monday and Thursday to Tuesdays and Fridays starting in July, Arbutine announced. The shift is being made as part of a countywide plan by the firm to better allocate its equipment.
Board of Adjustments opening
The recent death of longtime civic activist John Tabor has created an open position on the city’s Board of Adjustments. Residents interested in serving on the board should contact city hall for an application.
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Article published on Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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