Taylor Mayor Jeff Lamarand said this afternoon that even if the City Council overrides his veto of its resolution directing him to accept an $8 million federal grant to recall laid-off firefighters, he'll disregard the resolution.
The council has scheduled a special meeting at 6 p.m. today at city hall, 23555 Goddard, to override the veto. Lamarand said today that he opposes the resolution.
He said the council doesn't have the authority to order him to take a specific action in running the city because he is an elected official and not a hired city manager.
"What they've done is adopt a resolution that directs me what to do," Lamarand said. "Administratively, we feel it is illegal in its format."
On Friday, Lamarand vetoed the resolution which passed by a 5-1 vote on June 19. Nearly all city council members are in support of the resolution designed to address the layoffs of 32 firefighters since August, reducing their ranks to 24 on duty.
The clock is ticking because there is a July 8 deadline for accepting the grant. But Lamarand said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would extend the deadline for its fire and emergency staffing grant if needed.
Lamarand said the council's actions are premature. For one, nothing has been brought before the council related to the grant for them to discuss.
Also he said, more has to be learned about the city's financial liabilities after the two-year grant period ends. Lamarand said the city could be responsible for coming up with as much as $1 million to cover pension benefits and vacation and sick days that were not taken.
Copyright 2012 - Detroit Free Press
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
