I’m reporting to you on another item, and you decide. The Fayette County Commission had a joint meeting with the Peachtree City mayor and City Council to discuss EMS services.
There was no resolution. In fact, there wasn’t even a basis established for future discussions. I am disappointed and puzzled.
I asked that we sit down and figure out several things. How much does it cost Peachtree City taxpayers for EMS services and what is the service level? How much would it cost if EMS services were provided by Fayette County and what would be the service level? And, then should we consider consolidating fire along with EMS?
My proposal was turned down flat. The mayor, council and city manager were completely opposed to looking into the facts of this issue and then determine the best solution for our citizens.
And, I do say “our” citizens. Every resident/taxpayer/citizen of every city in Fayette County is also a citizen of Fayette County. They all have every right to the same level of representation and services from the County Commission as every other Fayette County citizen.
I asked the mayor, city manager and council if they could provide a single reason for their opposition. They did not provide one except to say they wanted to end the “double taxation” of Peachtree City taxpayers.
Some will try to make this a City-County issue. Did you know that Fayette County provides EMS services to every part of Fayette County, except Peachtree City?
None of the citizens of Fayetteville, Tyrone, Brooks, Woolsey or unincorporated county are being “double-taxed” for EMS services. The service level/response time is about identical with the Peachtree City level, even though the county service area is 199 square miles and Peachtree City is 24 square miles.
It’s also true that the chief of the Fayette County service is Jack Krakeel. Chief Krakeel has received local, state and federal recognition and awards for his expertise and leadership. He has been chairman of the Regional EMS Committee, and section chief of the EMS section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs for many years. He has helped to shape the EMS services in every state of the United States.
I think that the citizens of Peachtree City have every right to expect that their representatives from the city AND the county will work together to resolve issues in the best way we can. They expect us to cooperate on their behalf.
In this case, I heard commissioners agree that Peachtree City taxpayers are being double-taxed for EMS. I heard commissioners say that it might be Peachtree City government that is “double-taxing” them.
The current commissioners take every dollar of your money seriously. Some have made fun of us for that but if it’s $200 or $200,000, we want your money accounted for and spent correctly, for your benefit.
I heard commissioners say that whatever a study showed, they would support it. If it indicated that Peachtree City would be better off consolidating, they would support consolidation. If Peachtree City would be better off splitting off, they would support splitting off.
I also heard commissioners say that doing this correctly might save Peachtree City taxpayers MORE than the amount than the mayor and council were saying the county “owed” them. Commissioners asked if the city would be interested in trying to save taxpayers more money. They said, “No,” they were not interested.
I am a Peachtree City taxpayer. I think they ought to be interested. Don’t you?
I can speculate about reasons why someone would so disregard what I consider to be their obligations but I would be guessing or attributing motives to someone, perhaps unjustly. It would certainly be perceived by many as hostile. I don’t want to be hostile. I just want to do this right.
My concern is that if something is not for better services for lower cost, it’s not for the benefit of the taxpayers/citizens. It may be for egos and dollars; I hope not.
If you have any real, responsible suggestions, I’d like to hear them. Please, if you’re simply going to throw rocks or further pet agendas, confine yourself to “Free Speech” and the blogs. I’m truly looking for serious suggestions.
Peter Pfeifer
Fayette County commissioner
Peachtree City, Ga.