By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle Fire Department will soon have one new firefighter, a move city council members are hoping will save money.
The city council recently approved the hiring on one new firefighter. The goal is to reduce overtime and improve safety, according to council members.
According to city officials, some $41,000 in overtime has been paid during the first six months of the fiscal year. The department is short two employees, one retiring and one called up for military service and others have to take up the slack.
According to Mayor Clif Knight, some of those working overtime are on higher pay scale and the additional costs have mounted.
Knight said adding a firefighter will reduce overtime next fiscal year by some 90 percent, or $42,200. The cost for the remainder of this fiscal year is $13,000.