Firefighters' issue earns spot on ballot: Public to vote on collective bargaining

Local attorney Jason Horton updates the Texarkana, Texas, City Council on Monday regarding the resto-
ration of the Kress building.
Local attorney Jason Horton updates the Texarkana, Texas, City Council on Monday regarding the resto- ration of the Kress building.

Texarkana, Texas, City Council voted unanimously Monday to put firefighters' collective-bargaining option on the November ballot.

A petition delivered to Texarkana, Texas, officials and certified by the city secretary required the council to have the public vote whether firefighters can choose representation regarding employment issues. The council addressed that requirement during its regular meeting at city hall.

The petition required 428 signatures to move forward, and the city secretary certified 546.

Texas Local Government Code Chapter 174 states that firefighters and police "are entitled to organize and bargain collectively with their public employer regarding compensation, hours and other conditions of employment."

The law prohibits firefighters and police officers from participating in strikes, lockouts, work stoppages or slowdowns, and it allows for penalties if they do.

Firefighters formed the local union chapter in 1933 and about 80 to 85 percent of TTFD employees are members according to the Texarkana, Texas, Professional Fire Fighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 367.

The council also voted Monday to call for a general city election to be held on Nov. 8.

In other business, council members heard a second briefing on plans for the Kress building. The council is considering amending budget expenditures for the Kress Building and authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract for cleanup.

Attorney Jason Horton, whose law firm is adjacent to the Kress Building, had previously expressed concerns to the council about building debris being a safety hazard. He also expressed concerns about the potential temporary displacement of his business during demolition work.

On Monday, Horton again addressed the council and said he and his attorney had a productive meeting with city staff regarding the Kress Building and he believed some of his concerns "were premature."

"We ironed out a lot of the issues we had," Horton said.

The three-story brick structure at 116 West Broad St. was built in 1933.

The council is slated to vote on the issue Aug.8.

The council also listened to a first briefing on the revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2016 and adopting the budget and appropriating resources for the fiscal year beginning Oct.1, 2016, and ending Sept. 30, 2017.

Also, during the open forum portion of Monday's meeting, resident Bonnie Judd expressed her concern about recent issues at the Texarkana Animal Care and Adoption Center.

She asked council members to consider more money for the shelter in its budget.

"They don't have a voice. The animals don't," she said.

Ward 6 Council Member Josh Davis said lack of spaying and neutering is the root of the animal problem in Texarkana and said some cities have ordinances requiring pets in the city limits to be neutered and spayed.

City Manager John Whitson said he spoke with Texarkana, Ark., City Manager Dr. Kenny Haskin about discussing shelter issues in a joint meeting.

The board met at 6 p.m. in council chambers at 220 Texas Blvd. All council members were present at the meeting except Ward 3 Council Member Tina Veal-Gooch.

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