Fire Chief Todd Kirkland went before the Piedmont City Council on Tuesday evening asking for the Council’s approval to adjust pay for the part time firemen. Kirkland told the Council he had gone over the previous records and come up with a plan to drastically reduce overtime pay for the department.
Kirkland proposed to fill the necessary many hours needed to provide coverage for the City with part time employees. These employees will be certified firemen who work full with other departments and look to pick up an extra shift per week or month. However, due to the low wage, he was having a difficult time recruiting qualified personnel. He is proposing to hire 6 more part time to give the department a total of 14 and to put the starting wage to $17 per hour. He said the plan would eliminate the need for overtime and still provide the necessary employees to fill the necessary positions.
His plan would save the City approximately $35,000 per year by eliminating most of the overtime pay. The Council approved the plan. Kirkland took over as Chief in September.
Lane Weatherbee of the Commercial Development Authority ask the Council to appoint Steven Maddox to a vacant position on the Authority. The Council concurred.
The Fire Department also received new turnout gear at a cost of $8655,
Calhoun County Administrator, Jonathan Gaddy, asked the Council to approve repairs to the County’s Tag Office which is adjacent to and joined onto the City’s Administrative Building in the amount of $16,232.75 which is less than the County’s share. The repairs were approved.
Bills in the amount of $650,382.50 and 4 weeks payroll in the amount of $333,674.32 for a total of $984,056.82 were approved for payment.
Police Chief, Nathan Johnson, told the Council he had opened the Department’s Lobby for anyone who needed a warm place to stay during the extreme cold weather. Those wanting to utilize this facility would need to bring sleeping bag, blankets and chairs.
The next City Council meeting will be on January 21st in the Council Chambers at 5:30 pm.
