Recommended York County budget addresses fire staffing concerns, meets school funding request

March 08--YORK -- In a presentation of his fiscal year 2018 budget draft, York's county administrator recommended bringing in up to eight new firefighters and meeting the school division's request for about $1.3 million more from the county, two subjects that have been topics of interest in the county because of discussions in a local Facebook group.

County Administrator Neil Morgan presented an overarching look at his recommended budget draft to the Board of Supervisors at a regular work session at York Hall Tuesday evening.

The budget anticipates a revenue increase of about $2.6 million, or 2 percent, without any changes to current tax rates. Morgan proposed the new revenue go to county schools, health insurance costs and public safety needs.

Public safety has been a hot topic in the county following concerns leveled by a local fire union on Facebook.

On Tuesday, more than 50 York County firefighters, paramedics and members of their families attended the meeting wearing bright red pullovers with the logo of IAFF Local 2498, the union representing York fire staff, to draw attention to concerns in fire staffing and pay.

The gold standard is three to five minutes, and that's the emergency response time residents of York County have received for years.

"If you're responding to a fire or a heart attack, three to five minutes is everything," said Don Dinse, a retired York firefighter who serves as president of IAFF...

The gold standard is three to five minutes, and that's the emergency response time residents of York County have received for years.

"If you're responding to a fire or a heart attack, three to five minutes is everything," said Don Dinse, a retired York firefighter who serves as president of IAFF...

In the work session meeting room, there were not enough chairs for all the attendees, leading several to wait in other parts of the building. There was no public comment period in the work session, so the attendees representing IAFF 2498 did not directly address the board.

Under Morgan's recommendation, the county would bring in five to eight firefighters, depending on the results of a grant application. The county is hoping to fund six new fire and life safety positions through a grant. If the county were not to receive the grant, it would still bring in three of those positions. Outside of the grant, Morgan also recommended two new fire and life safety positions.

Don Dinse, the union's president, said he was happy with what he heard in the meeting and that the supervisors spent a good portion of time making sure they understood Morgan's hiring recommendations. Previously, Dinse had said the county needed to bring in eight new personnel to start addressing staffing concerns.

Following discussion of fire and life safety, Morgan called school division Superintendent Victor Shandor's request for $1.3 million more from the county reasonable and recommended the board approve that level of funding.

Morgan will present the finalized budget recommendation at the next regular board meeting on March 21.

Reyes can be reached by phone at 757-247-4692.

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