HomeMy WebLinkAboutPam updated 11 30 04 report pol
White Paper
Separate Policy and Fire Departments
Submitted by Pam Marsh
November 29, 2004
Issue Statement
: Section 1A, Article XIII of the Ashland City Charter requires that the
city “shall maintain a fire department which is separate and distinct from the City police
department” and prohibits the employees of one department from performing job
functions of employees in the other department.
This white paper analyzes two alternatives: 1) retaining the language as written in a new
model charter; and, 2) deleting the clause from the new charter.
Background
: Section 1A was added to the charter on January 4, 1986, as a result of a
campaign mounted by members of the firefighters union. The union action was
generated by a tentative city proposal to train ten new members of the police department
to assist on fires; the police department endorsed the concept, but the firefighters viewed
it as an attack on the department’s autonomy.
According to Tom Sponsler, cities across the state were discussing the creation of merged
public safety departments at about that time. In the intervening years only a handful of
cities actually joined police and fire; Sponsler recommends deleting the clause.
Budget Implications
: None immediate. Possibly some savings in the future if the
council decided to reorganize job assignments and/or departments.
Pros and Cons
: From a policy perspective, the prohibition against
reorganization/merger seems inappropriately placed in the charter, binding the ability of
staff and council to manage and organize city services as current circumstances warrant.
While limited in number, a few cities have demonstrated that reorganization/merger can
work. The City of Grants Pass undertook a partial consolidation of police and fire in
1983. According to local reports, the resulting Public Safety Department receives high
marks for public satisfaction and saves the city money at the same time.
However, it is likely that removing this clause from our charter could generate a
passionate response from policy and fire personnel. If we want to proceed with this
option, we will need to solicit support from both unions, which could be an onerous
proposition.
Summary
: In short, in evaluating this issue the Charter Commission must weigh the
value of an appropriate policy clean-up against the potential political landmine it
represents.
Resources consulted for this report
: Cathy Shaw, Gino Grimaldi, Roy Bashaw, Keith
Woodley, Mike Franell, Brian Almquist, and the Grants Pass web site.