Community Update

Copy of letter to County Commissioners from Retired PCFR Fire Chief Anthony Lopinto in ref: to Tampa Tribune Article "Firefighters Slighted by Proposed Budget".  

July 12, 2013

Commissioners,

I hope this email finds all of you prospering, enjoying life and in great health.

I find myself writing this letter because of an article that appeared in today's Tampa Tribune titled "Firefighters Slighted by Proposed Budget". The two issues that I take exception to are the reduced raises that Fire Rescue will receive in comparison to the other employees, and the accusation that this reduced wage increase is the result of my use of reserve funding over the past several years.

I talked with Heather Grimes this morning to share my opinion about the comments that were made specifically placing blame on the previous Fire Chief and Budget Director for the firefighters not receiving the same raise as other County employees. Heather assured me that she had not intended to direct the article at me, and further stated that the reporter must have misunderstood those who she was speaking of. Fair enough I guess, but the damage is already done and what an injustice it actually is.

It should be known that in the past, and even though I argued against it, County Administration didn't desire to give the firefighters the same raise as the other county employees regardless of any new found budgetary shortfall excuses. It was their position that Fire Rescue personnel were not entitled to the same monetary rewards because they had received two raises during the past five years when all others had not. It was irrespective of any funding concerns and based solely on the principle of equality that they felt was most appropriate at the time.

The concept of reducing raises for Fire Rescue is difficult for me accept because just before I retired, I met with the majority of the rank and file employees and encouraged them to utilize the retirement of the County Administrator to begin a new relationship with County Administration. One that would encourage an environment where all parties trust each other, understand each other's needs and work collectively toward the enhancements of the Department, their personal development and the service to the constituency.

Since that time, and even though I was not at the Union Meeting that Ms. Baker and Chief Cassin attended I have heard enough about the platform of that dialogue to get a feel for the first attempt at improving relations by County Administration. The members considered my final words together with what appeared to be the County's first move toward a new trustworthy relationship and they voted to move forward in a more positive manner. This decision was favorable to all involved and motivated them toward ratifying the outstanding contract and dropping their current wage grievance.

Please remember that the Union gave up the wage grievance that they otherwise could have pursued for an additional 5% raise, to demonstrate a sense of support for a new opportunity never before experienced with the previous County Administration. They initiated this action as a good faith attempt to show all County representatives that they are willing to work with you.

As a result of their actions and their movement toward a renewed working relationship, the County's revised platform and principle should stand on this premise: If the Union gave up their 5% wage argument (of which they would have been victorious on as they were so many times before) they should enjoy the same increase as all others in the county or we risk the perception of trickery.

Remember that they had the upper hand and chose to forfeit it in a demonstration of unity and trust. That's a much different scenario than if they had received raises when no one else had, and they possessed no leverage for yet another 5% increase and now you find yourselves with the ability to reward all the others. In fact, it should be recognized that even at a 3% increase the Union was still giving up 2% of the 5% they would have been entitled to. This is not even quantifying the dollars that would have been spent for the County to defend their position in Arbitration along with the distinct probability that if the County had lost, they would have been ordered to pay for the Unions defense costs as well. I would strongly ask that you weigh the benefits of an improved relationship with your Rescuers and then apply the appropriate weight to your conclusions as the budget workshops continue. While some may view the Union as greedy and unresponsive to the present day economy, you must remember that they have given up increases in the past that they were entitled to by Contractual obligations. Given their pay when compared to surrounding entities it shouldn't be such a mystery as to why they didn't give up all that was due them each and every time they were asked to.

As for the use of Reserves funds the bottom line is this: The department director never had any input or authority about when reserve dollars would be tapped to fund a fiscal year budget. Those decisions were made by the Budget Director and the County Administrator. The Department would present the budget that it felt was needed to provide an acceptable level of service and growth when appropriate and justified. We would identify the increase in funding that the proposed budget would require and then County Administration would tell us if they were going to fund it. The decision to utilize reserves was never at the department level, it was at the political level of County Administration in order to keep the millage rate either flat or, at a reduced hike in consideration of the additional costs. Because of the past budgetary tactics, the department didn't know how the budget would be funded and whether or not reserves would be utilized until the very first public budget hearing held by the Board in September of each year. In essence, we discovered how the budget would be supported at the same time as everyone else did. Not exactly the best scenario I grant you, but reality.

My frustration comes about because this morning's article and many recent budget workshops have pointed the finger at my team for the current budgetary circumstances by using phrases such as the "department" reached into reserves or the "previous Fire Chief" reached into reserves and I would like it to stop. I can't sit back and watch my devotion to this county for 35 years and the collective efforts of my staff being systematically deteriorated by inaccurate accusations or insinuations which are ultimately resulting in a higher millage rate and the loss of pay for the firefighters. It's wrong information and it's reckless to say it. If it's a misunderstanding, then it should be publically corrected.

The irony of this whole thing is that, to no avail, I was actually the one presenting arguments to County Administration for years about the inept budgetary processes and the departments inability to obtain the necessary information from OMB to properly prepare for these important budget events.

The Staff chiefs that worked close to me and who are still in your employ don't deserve this label either. Together we were able to take a department that was lead basically by vacated chief for 5 years and barely functional, and enhance it for the 12 years that we had the authority, insight and vision to do so. We shouldn't have to bear a label that screams failure in today's day and time for the sake of publically describing today's budgetary challenges.

Believe me I am trying to remain very professional in writing this letter by exercising great restraint about our previous hardships, but I draw the line at being identified as the burden that caused the current situation when in fact I was one of a very few who tried to fix it so many times.

These issues were not necessarily created by the current county administration but I would ask that everyone be more cognizant of their words when explaining the hurdles that you are now confronted with.

Additionally, I would ask that you evaluate the benefits of a unified relationship with Fire Rescue by supporting a renewed approach on communication and trust. I have always been a firm believer that the previous relationship between the County and the Union was in many ways unnecessarily self imposed. You have the opportunity to start fresh. They realize you can't give them everything they want, but we can begin by giving them some respect and treating them as the professionals that they really are. Believe me this would go a long way.

Thank you for your time and allowing me to express my views. I wish you all nothing but the best as you navigate through what may be the toughest budget year to date. If there is ever anything that I can do to assist you in any way please do not ever hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony F. Lopinto