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By Tim Pallesen
Delray Beach has asked Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue for a price quote to take over fire-rescue operations in the city.
The concept is supported by the union for city firefighters, who face possible cuts in their city pension benefits.
Under the concept, city firefighters would become county employees. The county would operate five Delray fire stations and a sixth station that Delray now operates in Highland Beach.
The request for a price quote was made by Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Chief Danielle Connor in a Sept. 4 letter to County Fire-Rescue Chief Jeff Collins.
The City Commission hasn’t discussed the request. Connor said it originated when the firefighters union “reached out” to Mayor Cary Glickstein.
“Fire-rescue is a significant part of our budget, with its associated pension and capital costs,” Glickstein explained. “It just makes good sense to understand our alternatives.”
Delray Beach is spending $22.4 million for fire-rescue this year and proposing to spend $23.6 million next year. Public safety costs are the city’s largest expenditure. A $1.9 million increase in what taxpayers pay to police and fire pensions is the biggest cost increase in this year's proposed city budget.
Fred Angelo, vice president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2928 in Palm Beach County, said the union previously supported takeovers by county fire-rescue in eight other Palm Beach County cities.
“The concept is a viable option that’s been used successfully by many local municipalities suffering from economic downturns and budget issues,” Angelo said. “A merger with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue often provides more resources for emergency response.”
Connor said she expects a county response this month. She has requested two months to analyze the county offer before making a recommendation to city commissioners.
“We’re trying to see how their services compare so the city can get the best financial bang for its buck,” she said.
Delray Beach now also provides fire-rescue services to Highland Beach for $2.9 million this year in a contract that expires in 2017 and to Gulf Stream for $389,540 this year in a contract until 2019. In her letter, Connor asked the county to also explain how it would provide fire-rescue services to those two coastal communities.
Glickstein stressed that Delray Beach is under no obligation simply by requesting a quote so it can compare costs and services.
“Whatever is proposed will get comprehensive scrutiny,” he said. “This is simply a discussion about options to better serve residents.”
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