Friday, December 19, 2008

Monroe County will begin negotiations with the interim fire chief to find a permanent leader for the department after commissioners on Wednesdayrejected the county administrator's top pick because of contract and salary concerns.

County Administrator Roman Gastesi called Interim Chief James Callahan his "very close second" choice for the position. Commissioners voted 4-1, with Mario Di Gennaro the only yes vote, against hiring Chad Brocato, assistant chief in Deerfield Beach.

In voting no, commissioners cited the proposed $123,000 annual salary, a 5 percent raise after six months, as much as $5,000 in moving expenses and the fact that he would have a contract at all.

"I was more opposed to how the contract was structured," said Mayor George Neugent. "I might be able to be talked into going with the $123,000 with no contract, provided he started working on probation like every other county employee. The way it was structured was the deal breaker for me -- it had nothing to do with Mr. Brocato's qualifications."

Brocato no longer is being considered for the chief position, Gastesi said.

"The $123,000 figure is my current salary," Brocato said Thursday, adding that the same job in Broward County pays about $160,000. "The problem with working without a contract is the volatility of the position, and that of any fire chief position. I need some measure of protection. I've been at my current job for 15 years and they can't fire me without cause.

"I can't take a pay cut, not in our economy, and move to a place with a higher cost of living and a more volatile climate," he said.

Gastesi said the salary he proposed for Brocato is near the "going rate" for top firefighters across the nation and that he would "absolutely recommend" that Callahan receive a six-figure salary. Callahan, who is currently leading the department, earns $74,134 annually.

"We didn't talk about it [Wednesday] but I'll have to talk to commissioners in the next few days about negotiating with Callahan," Gastesi said Thursday.

Callahan said he's interested in the job and wants to continue to improve fire protection throughout the Florida Keys, but he stopped short of discussing his salary.

"I wouldn't want to comment about that right now," Callahan said. "We need to give the commissioners time to talk about those issues. I'm going to continue to act on an interim basis until the county administrator evaluates where he wants to go."

Neugent suggested the county redraw fire jurisdictional maps, which hypothetically could lessen the geographical burden on Monroe County firefighters and make fire protection more efficient throughout the Keys.

Neugent said one plan would be to ask Marathon firefighters to protect the incorporated county areas between Islamorada and Marathon -- Long Key, Layton, Conch Key, Duck Key and Grassy Key. The county's fire service area would stretch from Stock Island to the Seven Mile Bridge.

Islamorada Fire Chief William Wagner already oversees operations in Marathon, after former Marathon Fire Chief Dale Beaver resigned earlier this year and the city decided not to hire a replacement.

"I don't know if we can do it with the personnel we have," Neugent said. "There are some procedural issues we would have to deal with."

Neugent said some service areas began to overlap as Keys towns began to incorporate. But how any such move would affect residents' taxes in those areas remains a discussion point for future commission meetings.

Neugent said Callahan should become permanent chief under such a plan.

Callahan has been the interim chief since March, when Wayne Hinnant resigned after only six months after county officials confronted him about allowing construction without building permits at the Stock Island fire station. Hinnant's contract was for a $118,000 annual salary.

Gastesi said Thursday that solving the county's fire protection woes -- lack of hydrants, gear and firefighters -- requires paying a salary that would land and keep a determined leader. Brocato agreed, citing as an example his knowledge that grants for Monroe County's needs are available, rather than waiting for the County Commission to approve the $4 million the department needs.

"I frankly think we should move toward a more modern, professional department and I question if the commission has that same vision," Gastesi said. "I think as time goes on, we will need to establish that. It was clear to me yesterday we're not on the same page. I was absolutely surprised yesterday. I was disappointed, but not discouraged."

Callahan said he's proud of some recent improvements, such as the new 800 MHz radio system the county bought, but he agrees with Gastesi that much work remains.

"Putting out fires is the easy part," Callahan said with a laugh.

alinhardt@keysnews.com