In Your Corner

Previously we have discussed some of the factors driving up Martin County’s TOTAL personnel cost, which now averages about 88% of all department operating budgets. This figure is even higher in the Public Safety sector (Sheriff – Fire/EMS) whose operations now account for some 70% of the total County budget. In this sector County Fire/EMS has increased both their employees and budgets over the last three years, have the highest average cost per employee and, by far, the highest percentage of their operating budget (over $35,000,000 of $38,800,000) taken up by personnel cost. Because of this we have focused our attention on the County’s excellent, but unsustainably expensive Fire/Rescue service.

In the County’s 2010 budget there are a total of 349 Fire/EMS personnel with an AVERAGE total cost of approximately $100,000 each. Since this figure includes 16 Lifeguards (average $72,000 each) and 14 Communications personnel ($75.000 each) and 42 new hires, the average total cost of a fully qualified Firefighter/EMS is over $103,000 each. In fact, 89 Fire/EMS personnel had a 2009 gross pay, NOT including benefits, of over $100,000 – 53 made over $120,000 – and they have another 5% + cost-of-living raise in their contract. This group includes the 13 absolute highest earning Martin County employees last year. These 13 individuals averaged over $150,000 each with the Chief that departed several months ago receiving almost $183,000. We estimate the retirement pay he takes to his new job in Virginia is over $12,000 per month and includes life-time cost-of-living adjustments and benefits.

The direct personnel cost of the Fire/Rescue Service:

Administration 8 $68,264 $84,531

Communication (911) 14 $57,665 $75,258

Emergency Mgt. 2 $84,000 $107,140

Fire Prevention 4 $59,225 $82,872

Lifeguards 16 $50,100 $72,690

Nuclear Planning 2 $69,240 $88,292

Special Ops 6 $122,514 $163,749

Support Services 6 $77,020 $108,660

Fire/EMS Operations 291 $73,407 $103,792

Total/Averages 349 $73,100 $100,343

 There are also additional expensive personal benefits to be considered. In addition to a lucrative retirement at 25 years of service plus health and survivor benefits, Fire/EMS personnel are allowed to accumulate inordinately large amounts of their very generous vacation, sick leave and other/compensatory time off. Up to 480 hours (10 weeks) of vacation time can be accumulated by each individual and sold back at separation/retirement. 720 hours (15 weeks) of sick time can be accumulated with 50% sold back. Compensatory time off, accumulated when operating during a declared emergency, can be banked with no limit and 100% can be sold back.

As of a few months ago the following total banked hours were available as time off or could be sold back for cash. Remember, most of this time was accumulated by personnel that work 2 days (2 - 24 hour shifts) per week. At the 48 hours per week rate these banked hours equate to nearly 65 years of accumulated time off for the 349 employees.

Vacation Time Sick Time CTO/Other Banked Hours TOTAL

49,636 hours 90,221 hours 21,447 hours 161,304 hours

(1,034 weeks) (1,880 weeks) (447 weeks) (3,360 weeks)

As we have stated many times, we are proud of our excellent, award winning Fire/Rescue Service and the personnel that render that service. However, compared to local private sector employees and other government service workers, the personnel cost of Martin County’s Public Safety Sector, particularly the Fire/Rescue Service is outrageous and cannot be supported by our tax base. The County Administration and Commission must take appropriate actions to rein in this out of control situation.