Fire board seeks added funds

Members of the Bayou Cane Fire Protection District Board of Directors intend to ask the Terrebonne Parish Council tonight for approval to renew a property tax amounting to 20 mills to continue financing operations, while also requesting the nod to seek voter approval for an additional 10 mills in taxpayer revenue.

A special meeting of the fire board drew attendance from Parish Councilmembers Greg Hood (Dist. 3), Beryl Amedee (Dist. 4), Russell “Red” Hornsby (Dist. 6) and Danny Babin (Dist. 7), all of whom have at least portions of their represented areas serviced by the Bayou Cane Fire Department, along with 17 other attendees, most of whom were professionally associated with the fire district.

“I’m just here to gather information,” Amedee said of the meeting that opened with the transfer of property ownership from volunteer fire houses to the main fire department, and concluded with an agreement among fire board members to formally present their millage requests to the parish council.

The transfer of property, identified as a donation, came as the result of board members attempting to comply with state law that restricts the fire district from unconditionally giving taxpayer-financed equipment to its volunteer stations as it has done in the past.

Through a series of formalities, and signed documentation by board members, the volunteer firefighters technically donated equipment they will continue to use back to the main fire district.

“Over the years this evolved from the [West Park Avenue] fire station and the one on Savanne Road, which were on property donated by landowners,” said Board Chairman Jeff Teuton. “This involved three fire trucks and other equipment. As a result, it was considered, by law, to be spending public money on private property. So the volunteers are donating the equipment to correct that, but it will still be used at those stations.”

Regarding the millage issue, Teuton explained that the board had previously discussed two proposals, which ended up being written as one and in turn appeared to be an individual request for a 30 mill property tax, rather than a renewal of the existing 20 mills and addition of 10 mills.

Previously the board voted in favor of a property tax hike with Teuton and board member Kenneth “Doc” Wright voicing opposition.

“Apparently the way it got written up for the [Parish] Council to approve before it could go to the voters was as one proposal,” Teuton said. “I am still in favor of the renewal, but opposed to the tax increase. They will now be written as two separate proposals.”

During discussion, Interim Fire Chief Kenny Hill made his argument for the 10 mill increase by stating that he needs salary money for more full-time firefighters to meet requirements that reduce public insurance costs.

Hill said if he does not receive the added funding it could result in not having as many full-time firefighters or as much properly maintain equipment.

“There are things broken now that I don’t have the money to fix,” Hill said. “With no increase [of revenue] I’m going to have to lay off five firefighters,” he said. “It only makes sense that if I’m going to have to lay off that many guys, one of the stations is going to have to close.”

The Bayou Cane Fire Prevention District has lived off a $255,000 grant that is set to expire at the end of December 2013. Hill said he needs to make up for the potential loss of those funds by asking for taxpayer contributions because he has reduced spending as much as he can. “I have everything cut to the bone,” he said.

Hood said the fire department should not have been depending on grant financing for daily operations. He also said he did not blame Hill nor his immediate predecessor for the current financial concerns.

Hood said he has found misuse of funds dating back to the administration of the late Fire Chief Jerry Gautreaux, who was top administrator from 1979 to 2008, that was inherited by both former Chief Charles Long, 2008 to 2012, and Hill, and if taken into consideration makes any increase in funds unnecessary.

“Before you go to the taxpayers and ask for more money, think about the last couple of years,” Hood said. “Think about what Bayou Cane went through. I promise you that if anybody were to look at some of the documents I have and see some of the taxpayer money that has been spent … . There are gift cards being bought with taxpayer money. There are double insurance policies on the same vehicles. Several things. There was spending that was illegal. It is as simple as that, [and] I’m not going to let anybody do anything illegal in this department.”

The councilman charged that the fire district has become spoiled by having available funds that were liberally used when a more conservative use of money would have achieved financial stability while making proper use of tax revenue.

Hood’s comments drew scoffs from some in the crowd and verbal shots from Hill. The councilman, who was once a member of the board he was addressing, has been involved in a long-standing feud with select members of the fire department. It is a battle which he and Hill both contend is over, but each refers to with verbal animosity. “That tiff is not finished,” Teuton said.

“We need to rebuild confidence in this community,” Babin said. “Everybody, including Mr. Hood, needs to have an open mind.”

The Bayou Cane Fire Department’s 2012 budget has been listed as $4.35 million, approximately $850,000 lower than in 2011. Budget cuts resulted from cost overruns.

If the increased millage request is approved for public consideration it will go before voters on the Nov. 6 ballot.