High Point speakers urge council to protect 24 firefighter positions and consider separation allowance amid state bill threat

Residents, union leaders and firefighters urged the High Point City Council on Monday to protect 24 newly budgeted firefighter positions and to adopt a special separation allowance to help retiring firefighters maintain health care and offset occupational risks.

Mayor Sio Jefferson opened the meeting and the public comment period, where speakers including Colleen Allen, Robert Templeton and Brian Tolley repeatedly asked the council to preserve the positions as the state legislature considers legislation they said could force the city to roll back its valuation and sharply reduce revenue.

Why it matters: Speakers warned that pending state action would require the city to "govern on a valuation that no longer reflects reality," with one speaker saying the rollback could cost the city roughly $30 million in expected revenue. Firefighters' advocates say losing budgeted positions or benefits would worsen staffing shortfalls and could endanger public safety.

What speakers said: Ken Worms, speaking early in public comment, disputed administration claims about budget expansions and accused officials of overstating proposed firefighter additions, saying, "That's just plain BS." Colleen Allen, who identified herself with the Guilford County Democratic Party, said residents know how critical the 24 positions are and urged the council to "take care of our firefighters." Sandra Davis told the council that "High Point firefighters should not pay the price for a political decision made in Raleigh."

Union perspective: Robert Templeton, president of the High Point Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 673), welcomed what he said was the council's support for keeping the 24 positions and pressed council members to consider special separation benefits, noting elevated cancer risks among firefighters. Brian Tolley, a 28-year department member, described long-term occupational exposures and asked council to provide parity with police retirement allowances so firefighters can maintain health care after retiring.

Policy proposals: Jonathan Parlberg asked the council to consider a transitional retirement stipend if full implementation of a separation allowance is not possible this year, arguing that replacing senior firefighters (earning roughly $70,000'90,000) with new hires at about $48,000 yields budget savings that could be partially reinvested.

Council action and next steps: The council did not take a final vote on the budget at the meeting; the mayor announced the next meeting on June 15, when the budget will be discussed again. Several speakers urged council to send a clear message to state lawmakers and to preserve the budgeted positions and benefits.

Ending: The council adopted routine business items and appointments by voice vote and adjourned; advocates said they will return as the budget moves toward formal action on June 15.