By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-953737.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The men and women of the divisions of police and fire put their lives on the line each day to protect the people of Lexington. At a committee meeting in Frankfort last week, Robert Sarrantonio of the Fraternal Order of Police Bluegrass Lodge Number 4 told lawmakers that the spouses of these officers and firefighters make sacrifices too.
"We miss a lot of birthday parties, a lot of holidays, and a lot of other events in our families. And that's one reason why we believe they should be covered as much as us when we retire, because they live this job."
Senator Tom Buford, a Republican from Nicholasville whose district includes part of Fayette County, says the Lexington Fraternal Order of Police has long sought expanded health benefits for its retirees, in this case, the spouses and dependents. He sponsored Senate Bill 136.
"We are in a very difficult place here as legislators trying to make the decisions for the city of Lexington in this matter."
Lexington is the only government entity in Kentucky that oversees its own pension system for local police and firefighters all others are covered by the County Employees Retirement System, or CERS. State law requires that any changes to Lexington's public safety retirement plan be approved by the General Assembly.
"It's an extremely generous plan as it exists today; plans all over the country are going belly up. All city and states that I'm aware of are in the process of paring back systems," says Geoff Reed, senior advisor to Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.
Reed says there simply isn't enough money available to fund the FOP's request. The Police and Firefighters' retirement fund has an unfunded liability of $225 million, and the city is facing a budget deficit of $11 to 16 million.
It's not exactly clear how much the expanded healthcare benefits would cost. An early estimate from the city puts the additional expense at around one million dollars a year.
Tommy Puckett sees both sides of the issue. He's a retired police officer, a member of the FOP, and sits on the retirement board of trustees. Puckett also has to pay for his wife's health insurance premium, and Senate Bill 136 would save his family around $250 a month.
"I would love to see it. You know I have a wife; it would save me money obviously. It would also make us equal to the other retirees in the state. I also realize that times are kind of tough right now."
Members of the FOP Leadership did not return calls seeking an interview.
As for the fire union, Lexington Professional Firefighters Local 526 president Chris Bartley was at the committee meeting in Frankfort, although he did not testify with the FOP. Bartley declined to be interviewed on tape, but says he can't fully support the measure at this time, partly because of the current economic climate, but mainly because he hasn't brought up the issue with his members.
Bartley also says the firefighter union made a promise to Mayor Gray, who took office in January, not to bring up possible legislation during the current session.
And with the short session more than half-way finished, it's unlikely that Senate Bill 136 will get far, but a companion bill has been filed in the House (HB 438). That measure is sponsored by Democratic Representatives Bob Damron and Ruth Ann Palumbo.
Senator Buford says if his committee had taken a vote on the proposal, it would have likely passed unanimously and also sailed through the full Senate. Buford says his main goal was to get the city and FOP in an active dialogue.
FOP and city officials continued their discussions Monday afternoon.