Judge sides with Taylor City Council in fight over multi-million dollar grant to save firefighters

TAYLOR, Mich. (WXYZ) - A judge has sided with Taylor City Council in a fight over a multi-million dollar grant to save firefighters' jobs.

The city was awarded an $8.1 million grant from the federal government to restore 32 firefighter positions and pay their salaries for two years.

After the city council approved the grant, the mayor vetoed it and then council overrode the veto.

Today a judge ruled that council has to power to create a budget.

Mayor Jeffrey Lamarand is against the grant because he's worried the city will not be able to continue paying the firefighters once the money runs out. “Nothing’s ever free, even when you’re looking at 8.1 million dollars,” said Amanda Banas, Taylor’s Director of Executive Affairs.

The majority of City Council is in favor of the grant because they're worried about protecting citizens after dozens of firefighter cuts over the past year.

“You pass up $8-million and 30+ firefighters because you can’t figure out how to deal with the legacy costs? I think that’s crazy,” said John Delo, the councilman who filed the lawsuit.

The mayor’s office initially said the deadline to accept the grant was Sunday, but Fire Chief Robert Tompos tells Action News an extension has been filed.

In the meantime, the mayor’s office says it will appeal the judge’s decision.