DAPHNE, Ala. — Planning versus urgency was the debate over a fire personnel ordinance adoption and the consequential veto at Monday’s city council meeting.

The ordinance to hire six new firefighters — taking $192,564 of the current budget — had been adopted Feb. 18. Since then, some city leaders have worried about the recurring costs since the employee pay will be a constant debt. Others say the importance of public safety calls for immediate action. The veto was adopted 6-2; Council members Bailey Yelding and Cathy Barnette dissented.

Mayor Fred Small vetoed the fire personnel ordinance on Feb. 28 — within his allotted 10 days as the law states. His reasons included financial strain and further research.

Upon second thought, several city leaders agreed that volunteer firefighters might solve the problem of short-staffed stations without causing financial burden.

“We need to look at volunteerism,” Councilman John Lake said. “Fairhope has a volunteer fire department; we don’t. We need to hire a volunteer coordinator (to lead and recruit volunteers) and we need to look to the large base of retired community that have the time and energy (to aid the city). They just haven’t been asked.”

Councilman August Palumbo agreed that volunteers might be the answer.

“I think we need to go back to the drawing board and explore volunteer options,” he said.

He added that the veto is a serious matter and should be treated as such — a point that impacted his change of heart.

“Vetoes are to be used judiciously — and have been. I voted for (the ordinance) last time (on Feb. 18), but when it comes to overriding the mayor’s veto, that’s a horse of another color,” he said.

After the veto was adopted, public participation showed support of a volunteer effort.

Stan Wiese, assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 87, cited his own experience with the success of volunteer projects.

“The boy scout lodge that is being built is worth about $70,000 and we’ve only got $3,300 tied up in it,” he said.

Scouts and other volunteers have helped in construction and even gathered scrap wood after Hurricane Katrina for the building, he said.

Wiese also brought examples from his home in accordance with collaborative efforts. He said all his children are at home — up to age 23 — and money is often tight.

“When we have limited finances at home, we have to find other ways of doing things,” he said.

Standing firmly on the other side of the debate, Barnette reiterated that public safety importance should quell conservative financial-planning concerns.

“This is not a District 1 or District 2 issue; this is a city of Daphne fire service issue. It is a shame that I have to sit here and defend the safety of the city of Daphne,” she said. “I’ve discussed planning and the need for it pretty consistently (while serving on the council), but we’re not providing services for the citizens.

“Public safety, health and welfare — that’s our charge.”

Yelding agreed that public service for all should take precedence, especially during rapid growth, in areas of public safety and utilities.

“We keep annexing, moving out further east and north, but we can’t afford quality of life for the people we have here,” he said. “People that are 80 to 90 years old, that live half of a mile from here, live in neighborhoods without sewers.

“Those people have been here all their lives; they built this city.”

Public participation drew concerns about safety and planning for growth.

“I was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years. We had 96 firefighters, six stations and 15,000 people in the town, and I’ve never seen only two people per truck called to a house fire,” Rod Drummund said, referring to the Daphne Fire Department’s current situation.

Attention was sparked by Mobile County’s recently received contracts with aircraft carrier companies like Northrop Grumman Corporation, a $32 billion global defense and technology company.

“We’ve got to learn how to handle growth since Northrop Grumman will impact Daphne,” Willie Robison said.

Al Guarisco agreed, and said, “There’s going to be a boom once they (Northrop Grumman) get here. We need to seek outside help and advice on this issue (of growth).”

Also Monday, financial reports eased monetary anxieties.

Councilman Ron Scott reported year-end revenues of $10.1 million versus the projected $7 to 8 million budget.

Proposals for the money included new playground equipment for May Day Park in Olde Towne Daphne. Small reported that specially-trained staff members consider the equipment dangerous and beyond repair.

“It (equipment removing and replacing the play tools) has been on the capital budget for two years,” Small said.

The council voted unanimously to grant permission to Small for the removal of playground pieces — the first step in the process.

In other business:

•The council voted unanimously to increase Daphne Civic Center rates by 25 percent since no increase has been implemented since the building's opening in 1999.

•The council voted unanimously to fire a police officer because one employee has been called to military service until April 2010. This action will assure the position can be filled in his absence and guarantee his job awaiting him upon return.

•Boy Scout Troop 87 members were recognized for community leadership.