Debate held on only ballot issue on Colorado Springs’ April ballot

Dozens filled a room at the Penrose Library to hear debate on the sole question that appears on the Colorado Springs April ballot.

Issue 1 asks voters whether firefighters should be granted collective bargaining rights.

A proponent of the issue, John Roy, a firefighter himself and the Deputy Campaign Manager for Firefighters for a Safer Colorado Springs wants to see Issue 1 pass.

“City leaders, they come and go, they’re here every four years, but firefighters are here for 30 plus years serving this community, so what Issue 1 would do is give us a consistent voice in public safety,” Roy said.

Mayor John Suthers is against the issue.

“You get more and more employees, more and more dues-paying members and I think it will result in institutional inefficiency of city government and our taxpayers will pay a lot more money,” Suthers said.

Suthers adding he believes should Issue 1 pass the Firefighters Union will ask for three-year contracts, which Suthers said would make it hard to plan city budgets.

“If firefighters get more than the mayor and the council thinks they should, it’s coming out of somebody else’s hide. It’s coming out of police, it’s coming out of public works,” Suthers said.

Roy said the goal of the issue is to make sure firefighters are involved in important decisions beyond the tenure of Suthers.

“We’re not trying to change the piece of the pie with the fire department. We’re trying to make sure within that piece of the pie, those dollars are spent wisely, so you get the best service. That’s what this is all about,” Roy said.

Voters will decide the issue come April 1st when the city’s ballots for the all-mail election are due back.