Civil service for Leander firefighters to appear on May ballot, police department excluded

Residents will decide whether to adopt civil service status for the city's firefighters after City Council on Feb. 28 approved the initiative for the May ballot.

Civil service rules establish standards within fire and police departments for sick and vacation leave and for the hiring, firing and promotion of employees. To get on the measure on the ballot, the Leander Professional Firefighters Association submitted a petition to the city Feb. 15 with 138 signatures in favor of civil service to get the measure on the ballot.

When voters take to the polls, the item will read: "Adoption of the fire fighters' and police officers' civil service law for the Leander Fire Department." City Manager Kent Cagle said despite the slightly confusing but legally required wording, only firefighters would receive civil service status if the measure passes.

Members of the Leander Law Enforcement Association have considered pursuing civil service guidelines for the police department, but no action has been taken, LLEA President Helen Garrett said.

"We are currently getting more information concerning civil service and educating ourselves," she said. "We initially looked at it about two or three years ago, so we are revisiting the issue, but we are not currently ready to make a decision."

Cagle estimates civil service for firefighters would cost the city more than $1 million, although LPFA claims the cost is closer to $170,000. If the LLEA pursues civil service in the future and voters approve it, he said it would cost an additional $200,000–$300,000 annually.

Groups in favor of and opposed to the firefighters' civil service initiative have both formed political action committees and plan to campaign through election day on May 11.