ENGLEWOOD — Englewood Area Fire Control District’s monthly board session centered around updates to the fire prevention ordinance, including a decision regarding public input on the fire code.
Chief Kevin Easton discussed adding appeals boards for those concerned with the district’s fire prevention ordinance, which was approved in 2023.
While staff first thought to create their own boards, Easton said, using established appeals boards in neighboring counties will open up a “cleaner” opportunity for a resident to appeal an application of the fire code.
“There’s going to be some weird odds and ends, and we’re going to have to figure it out as we go through the different counties, but we should be fine,” Fire Marshal Kyle Brooks said.
The board also discussed collective bargaining talks with a local worker’s union encroaching on the fire district’s upcoming budget meeting.
Board Member Ron Benedetti voiced his support for a shade meeting — a private session that becomes public record once concluded — with Suncoast Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2546.
Others said the bargaining sessions will give enough time to find common ground before September.
“I don’t know what there really is going to be to discuss, I mean quite honestly, we know what our impact is with the rate increase,” Easton said.
According to Easton, the fire district needs to increase funding for Englewood’s operating budget because of rising costs, which leaves only a “finite” amount of money for collective bargaining.
Easton confirmed the union is already aware of the monetary parameters.
“They know what our confines are, and we know where the guardrails are and where we have to stay,” Easton said. “So, I’m willing to meet and talk about it if you all feel this necessary, but I really just think that it’s kind of a no-brainer here.”
Florida law states a district budget is limited to the average of personal income growth in the state averaged over a five-year period, Easton said.
Currently, that number is $647,000, leaving EFD only $129,400 to cover rising electricity and gas prices, a new battalion vehicle, a new inspector vehicle, a new inspector position and union salary increases.
Despite this, Easton said he will still try to meet those union requests in the coming bargaining sessions.
“Maximum increase is the proper assumption,” Easton said. “Whatever’s left over is what I have to offer to the union.”
The budget will be voted on in September, which Easton said has impacted salary negotiations with firefighter’s union Local 2546.
The first bargaining session is set for Aug. 1.
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