Perry Fire & Emergency is seeking to hire

On Monday evening, September 20, Perry Mayor and Council met at the Perry Events Center for its second work session of September. The ongoing topics were discussed in a timely manner, as the council stuck with their scheduled agenda. With many voices in the room discussing the mandatory mask mandate for Perry, the council’s concern for the issue was overshadowed and rarely discussed at the recent work session.

First in the council’s agenda on Monday, Mayor Randall Walker began the meeting with a call-to-order. Several items were presented at the work session. Among the first to occur, was an employee hearing, which gave city employees input on a proposed paid time off policy. Following that, City Manager Lee Gilmour considered a proposal from the Perry Fire & Emergency Services Department. This document was proposing a shift from part-time to full-time positions.

The memorandum states, “Following up on the department’s strategic plan of August 31, 2021, the Perry Fire & Emergency Services Department request the council to approve hiring three additional full-time firefighters and close out the 18 part-time positions. An August 19, 2021 analysis by the department revealed the following issues: The cost per hour for a part-time firefighter in the area market has increased from $12 an hour to between $15 and $18.61 an hour. There is an ever-decreasing pool of candidates to fill the positions, even if the city’s rate of pay were increased. Just last month, 27.7 shifts were reported open or unable to occupy.”

This topic sparked a few internal conversations, but the council continued to move through the work session without very much delay. The recent work session also brought up an ongoing renovation. The Main Street Advisory Board requested for additional monies from the Façade Grant. The project for Muse Theatre has already cost an estimated $600,000, which is already above the project’s intended spending budget. The council’s consideration on the issue will affect the major renovation of work that is happening to the Muse Theatre.

After a few short council and staff items, the work session was adjourned. Perry Mayor and Council meets in a regular session on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21. Items that were discussed during Monday’s work session meeting will be discussed at length during the next Perry Council meeting. The general public is welcomed to attend.

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