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Board approves pay-out for Fire Chief Scotty Bush’s excess vacation time after heated debate
Summary
After questions about prior emails and HR guidance on vacation carryover, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved Ordinance 2025-16, compensating Fire Chief Scotty Bush for vacation hours carried over beyond the usual cap; the measure passed 10–3.
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved second reading of Ordinance 2025-16, an amendment to the city budget to recognize and compensate Hendersonville Fire Chief Scotty Bush for vacation carryover hours beyond the usual maximum.
The motion was made by Alderman Sasse and seconded by Alderman Robertson. After extended discussion about prior email guidance and whether city HR had set deadlines for using carried-over vacation hours, the board voted 10–3 to approve the ordinance. The mayor read the roll call: yes — Burgdorff, Skidmore, Ward, Sassy, Garza, Mayor Jamie Clary, Dixon, Goodwin, Garton and Robertson; no — Martin, Collins and Evans.
A number of aldermen raised procedural and factual questions before the vote. Alderman Martin said policy discussions and community feedback prompted him to test a motion to return to the original ordinance language, but the board’s rules prevented him from making that motion because he was not on the prevailing side of the prior amendment. Alderman Dixon pressed Chief Bush to clarify what written HR directives existed about carryover limits; Dixon and others cited an email from HR director Chris Taylor dated Aug. 18, 2020, that said excess vacation must be used by March 31, 2021, unless otherwise extended. Chief Bush said he believed prior oral discussions with city leadership granted him extensions and that he had later requested extensions in writing; he told the board that extensions had been granted previously.
Supporters said the measure addressed a personnel situation that had been long debated. Alderman Evans acknowledged public debate and urged moving past the controversy. Alderman Burgdorff said personnel discussions in public are difficult and urged unity after the vote.
The ordinance as passed incorporates an amendment previously approved and becomes part of the FY 2025 budget ordinance as written on second reading; the board did not specify further conditions or reporting requirements tied to the payout during the meeting.
