HomeMy WebLinkAboutPam police and fire merge white
White Paper
Separate Policy and Fire Departments
Submitted by Pam Marsh
November 18, 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 police and (especially) fire unions. 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 as a clean up measure.
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.
However, it is likely that removing the clause 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 the 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, and
Keith Woodley.