MANSFIELD — Alomar Davenport said the city’s need to add a fourth assistant chief in the fire department should be explained in public.
That’s why the 4th Ward City Council member said Thursday he will again oppose — and not participate in — an executive session to discuss the administration’s request to add the position.
Council, which went behind closed doors Oct. 18 for about 40 minutes to discuss the legislation, is scheduled to vote on the new position Tuesday.
Rising call volumes for medical emergencies has prompted the need for a new assistant chief, according to Chief Steve Strickling.
“It would be an EMS assistant chief,” Strickling told Richland Source two weeks ago. “It’s a 40-hour per week position to handle all things EMS for a host of reasons.”
The chief cited rising calls for EMS service among the reasons for the creation of a fourth assistant chief in the department.
State law allows for public entities such as City Council to go into executive session to “consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.”
The law says nothing about closed-door sessions to discuss creating new positions, which is why Davenport said he is “adamant” that part of the conversation should be done in public.
“I do see the need for executive sessions (regarding specific personnel),” Davenport said. “But there is no reason the entire conversation should be done behind closed doors.
“I think the people of Mansfield have the right to know why the position is needed,” Davenport said. “I don’t think we should add payroll or positions without the city explaining it.”
Davenport voted against entering executive session Oct. 18 and didn’t accompany other council members when they met privately with the city administration.
The councilman said he has been told another executive session on the topic is planned Tuesday.
“I protested silently last time. I will not be silent this time,” he said.
According to Mayor Tim Theaker’s annual “State of the City” report, the Mansfield Fire Department responded to 9,845 medical calls in 2021, transporting 7,454 people to local emergency rooms.
That average of nearly 27 EMS calls per day was a 6.3-percent increase over 2020, according to the mayor’s report.
If the new position is approved, the pay range would be between $58,000 and $95,000, according to the legislation.
The MFD also has slots for nine captains, 11 lieutenants and 81 firefighters/paramedics.
