During a packed meeting on Tuesday night, one-by-one firefighters, families of firefighters and community members spoke about the importance of keeping the Starke Fire Department fully staffed.
Commissioner Shannon Smith said after the meeting they will try to get the city manager to work with the fire union and fire chief to work with the potential increase in property tax money to get at least three men on each shift instead of two.“I live in a row of historic homes and guess what these houses are made out of, they made out of fat lighter,” resident Judith Young said.
Business owners suggested the commission start a committee to help pay to keep the fire department the way it is. “Starke is a small town so these people are our friends and neighbors and part of our town. We love them and we don’t want them to lose jobs but more so we don’t want the services to be cut nor do we want the impact on what could happen if there are not enough people to take care of the services,” said Chrissy Allen-Thomas.
Before a decision was made, Commissioner Shannon Smith asked City Manager Drew Mullins how can the city manage to keep everyone on staff. “I can manage to keep 12 of the firefighters on there. Again, this is all by adjusting staffing and their hours,” Mullins said.Commissioner Smith said raising the millage rate is a temporary fix and the plan will probably work for about six to eight months then they will have to reevaluate.
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