Tensions rise as Tallahassee mayor, Leon County commissioner tussle over firefighter pay

Reading between the lines, Mayor John Dailey on Tuesday had a not-so-subtle message for Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor about city firefighter pay talks: Butt out.

Hours after Proctor volunteered to moderate increasingly bitter union contract negotiations for Tallahassee firefighters, Dailey wrote to Proctor saying it "may be time to reevaluate" the city's providing fire protection in the county.

Dailey, formerly a three-term county commissioner who served alongside Proctor, further suggested that Leon County should consider establishing its own fire department as they have discussed in past years.

"As such, I recommend the county commission at its March 19 meeting consider directing the county administrator to explore the operation of fire services in unincorporated Leon County and indicate its desire to sunset the current agreement with the city," Dailey wrote.

In a late night text responding to Dailey's letter, Proctor noted that two legislative sessions have passed without a contract for firefighters and that the city "wants to vacillate and procrastinate."

"I asked the City Commission to serve as the negotiator to expedite settling the firefighters' contracts with the city. The mayor's response told the county explore building a fire department," he said. "Making threats towards the county does not secure an agreement for TFD firefighters."

The political brinkmanship began after Proctor, a preacher and FAMU political science instructor, volunteered his services. The Tallahassee Professional Firefighters Association, which is the Tallahassee Fire Department's labor union, has been trying since last March to negotiate raises in a one-year contract to no avail.

Last year's many meetings resulted in impasse, and negotiations for a new three-year contract are starting amid the unresolved contract.

Proctor earlier Tuesday had said it's time to "stop, drop and roll.": "I believe that we need to stop disagreeing, we need to drop the hidden agenda and we need to roll out the dough."

"I don't come here with pipe dreams," Proctor added. "I come here as the most seasoned local official in the history of this town, having voted on more money being spent for more diverse things than anyone in history."

Proctor, who has served eight terms representing the county commission's District 1, was first elected in 1996.

Related: Bill Proctor at Tiger Bay: He's 'tired' of Tallahassee city commission infighting

Tallahassee Fire Chief Gene Sanders said in a statement that the priority has been on firefighters throughout negotiations. Multiple proposals have been made with "increases that are now up to 8.6% within the rank of Firefighter, which is far above an average offer."

"I remain hopeful that union leadership will allow their members to vote on the raise currently on the table, which I support,” Sanders said.

There is enough money to pay TFD employees the raises they are asking for, Proctor said. Between money coming in from both the city and the county, $51.4 million is generated every year to pay 275 employees, he said. "That equates to a little over $185,000 per year to support each individual worker," he said.

"Our residents want well paid and motivated, competent firefighters whose pay is commensurate to the danger and importance of their work," he said.

City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow said the commission will likely discuss Proctor's offer at the end of their meeting Wednesday afternoon. The city manager hired the current negotiator, Matlow said, but the commission has the ability to direct the city manager to change negotiators.

The number of people applying to TFD is "way down," he added, and the city is at "a critical point of finding the right deal" to be competitive with other cities and counties in the state.

Breaking & trending news reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: John Dailey, Bill Proctor tussle over Tallahassee firefighter pay talks