Cornelius leaders, firefighters and the community on Monday night discussed a $2 raise for the town’s firefighters, which brings pay up to $15 an hour.
“Our job is to aid people on the worst days of their life,” one firefighter said inside the packed chamber. The fire chief told commissioners the department needs the pay bump to stay competitive.
“Our service will become static and stifled,” Cornelius-Lemley Fire Chief Neal Smith said. "Members will continue to move away -- burnout will increase -- replacements will not arrive
Before the public budget hearing, the town manager told commissioners they would be able to provide the raise by decreasing funding in other areas.
The pay raise request comes amid controversy.