"A slap in the face."
That's what Meagan Booth, wife of Kerrville Firefighter Micah Booth had to say about the city's decision to change responders' health care plans.
Last month, while Kerrville firefighters and others were searching the flood-ravaged area for victims, city officials were meeting to reduce its health care contribution from 100 to 89 percent, according to KVUE.
Benefits were a major reason her husband stayed with the department for nearly two decades, despite low pay.
“He’s pretty much had to have a second job at all times. One of the other reasons he’s remained with the fire department for so long was the benefits package. For first responders, it feels like a slap in the face, especially with everything they went through with the July 4 floods.”
City officials said the proposed changes were not related to recent flood disaster spending.
Booth's petition asking the city to reconsider the measure has garnered 1,300 signatures.
