City Council to Discuss Proposed Federal Grant

TYLER – The Tyler city council is scheduled to discuss Wednesday a $1.58 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.The funding, over a three year period, would be for the hiring of 12 additional fire fighters. But a possible problem is, the city must provide matching funds, just under a million dollars over that period. With the exception of essential positions, the city has been under a hiring freeze. This was instituted because of falling sales tax allocations from the state. With a tight budget, the matter should generate a lot of discussion at Wednesday’s meeting.

According to a news release from the Tyler Professional Fire Fighters Association, if approved, the grant will cover firefighter salaries and benefits at a rate of 75% for the first two years and 35% in the third year. Half of the cost to the city for the first two years of the grant will be offset by estimated savings in overtime, which is currently necessary to keep minimum staffing. The City of Tyler would be responsible for the full salary and benefits beginning on year four.