Firefighters may cover Kenneth City
Pinellas Park offers its own $207,000 contract after annexation controversy
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
| Article published on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 |
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PINELLAS PARK – City firefighters may soon take over operations in Kenneth City after the Lealman Fire District suddenly canceled its contract over an annexation dispute.
The approximate $207,000-a-year proposal that is expected to be approved by Kenneth City officials later this or next month also calls for Pinellas Park to refurbish the present fire station in that municipality. One truck and a crew would be assigned there.
The $50,000 earmarked for that project, however, will be paid back by Kenneth City over a period of time.
Michael Gustafson, Pinellas Park’s city manager, said the fire station’s location will provide the opportunity to not only cover Kenneth City, but to allow emergency personnel to be closer to the southern section of Pinellas Park.
“It will also mean a faster response time for Pinellas Park residents,” Gustafson said. “It’s a win-win for everyone concerned.”
The Kenneth City town council last week discussed the possibility of Pinellas Park taking over city fire operations, but St. Petersburg also may toss a bid into the hat.
Pinellas Park Fire Chief Doug Lewis said Kenneth City’s old fire station has not been used since its closure, except for storing public works equipment. He called the plan a good opportunity for both Kenneth City and Pinellas Park.
“Our building services division has been working in Kenneth City for years and that has always
been a good partnership,” Lewis said. “There is no reason why that good working relationship cannot be extended to include fire services.”
The controversy began in late September when the Lealman Fire District unanimously voted to rescind its contract after Kenneth City annexed several Lealman properties. Lealman firefighters would still have to respond to Kenneth City under Pinellas County’s mutual aid agreement. The twist is that they would not get paid for the services.
Kenneth City disbanded its fire department in 1996 and allowed the Lealman Fire District to take over emergency responsibilities. Since, however, the Lealman Fire District, Pinellas Park, Kenneth City and St. Petersburg had been involved in a major annexation controversy that created lawsuits and a special government panel to resolve the issues.
With an uneasy agreement finally negotiated, Lealman officials became enraged enough in September to cancel Kenneth City’s contract when it annexed several properties.
Gustafson, meanwhile, said his city’s proposal to Kenneth City is almost identical to that of Lealman’s broken contract. It’s a 10-year deal with 3 percent increases for each of the first five years after which a new figure must be negotiated.
“We are simply being good neighbors, providing a vital service to the residents of Kenneth City,” Gustafson said.
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Article published on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
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