BAY CITY -- Bay City officials are sorting through the intricate details of a federal grant worth $880,000 designed to bring back several laid off firefighters. The city’s administration pushed for the grant last year after six firefighters were laid off in the summer of 2009.
Sources tell NBC25 they can likely bring back two firefighters, but a recent cost-cutting contract approved by both the firefighters union and the city commission could complicate matters.
Union officials gave up more than $387,000 in wage and benefit concessions in the new contract, saving four firefighters from the most recent round of cutbacks, which helped trim $1.6 million from the current budget.
“There may be a little bit of a hitch in that there may be some stipulations that come along with that (grant) money,” said Mayor Charles Brunner.
The grant is for a total of six firefighters. City officials are not clear on whether they can bring back two firefighters, while hiring an additional four at the same time, reaching that magic number of six. Otherwise, some of that money will have to be paid back.
“There’s paperwork we have to file with the federal government and we’re in the process of doing that right now,” said Fire Chief Greg Michalek, discussing his interest in more information. Meanwhile union officials refuse to comment on the grant without knowing more. They hope to learn more about the issue in the next few weeks.
