March 22--Maplewood and its Fire Relief Association have been engaged in a money squabble ever since the city announced a staffing change that would eliminate part-time firefighters.
That battle could end with a city victory if recently proposed legislation is passed this session at the state Capitol.
At the center of the feud is a $1.6 million fund that only the fire relief association can access. Association members want to use a big chunk of the fund to pay severance they believe is fair.
The pending legislation would limit the association's control over the fund and dissolve the association before the end of the year.
"I think (the legislator who proposed this legislation) just got their ear bent and I think the story that got told was quite a bit different than what's been going on," said Jeff Morgan, a member of the association. "Hopefully, they'll do the right thing and pull the bill."
City officials say the fund belongs to taxpayers and should be spent for their benefit.
"We are taking every measure available to the city to protect Maplewood's taxpayers' money ... to invest in the future of the city's public safety services," Maplewood City Manager Melinda Coleman said.
Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Vernon Center, proposed the legislation last week and planned to transfer it to Sen. Charles Wiger, DFL-Maplewood.
Disagreements began when Maplewood decided to switch to a full-time staffing model in the fire department in response to increased calls and a decreased part-time staff.
When the city offered severance packages that Fire Relief Association members said were unfairly small, the association changed the structure of retirement funds in order to boost their severance packages.
The city sued, alleging financial shenanigans. The litigation is ongoing.
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