DAPHNE, Ala. — A motion to adopt an ordinance that would hire six firefighters failed.

Debate on whether to hire the fire personnel did not occur at Monday’s city council meeting due to three absent city leaders and a change in command.

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette, an advocate for more firefighters, acted as president in place for Council President Greg Burnam. Council President Pro-Tem John Lake and Councilman Eric Nager also were absent; the latter had military duty.

Remaining council members voiced concern over the lack of funds available to hire more fire personnel; Barnette presided rather than take her stance, which, in the past, has passionately favored more firefighters.

“We simply do not have the funds,” Councilman August Palumbo said.

He said the city should exhaust other efforts such as building the volunteer firefighter base since the budget item would be a recurring expense.

“It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” he said.

Councilman Bailey Yelding — who’d previously agreed with Barnette that the city needs six more public safety employees — changed his tune.

“We just approved three,” he said of the council’s vote on May 5. “To approve six here — there’s no way for us to put in nine at this time,” he said.

Councilman Ron Scott also took up a fiscally accountable stance.

“I just don’t feel like we have the financial wherewithal to do this,” he said.

Barnette spoke light-heartedly about the subject near the end of the meeting.

By acting as president, “it muted my debate with the fire coverage,” she said with a laugh.

During public participation Rod Drummond voiced his concern about inconsistent information among departments on the issue. The public needs accurate information about the volunteer firefighters’ benefits and the number of current volunteers, he said, and asked that research on fire personnel be distributed so that the community can make informed decisions.

The question of fire safety began in February when council members learned that Fire Station 1 in Olde Towne Daphne was unmanned. Barnette began her fight to man the station; her further research showed that all the fire stations were operating with too few firefighters.

The direction then changed to hiring additional firefighters for all fire stations.

An ordinance was adopted to to hire six people, but Mayor Fred Small vetoed the ordinance. Council members upheld the veto and finally adopted an ordinance to hire three firefighters on May 5.

The council voted to shift remaining funds — $340,000 — from the sewering project account for U.S. Highway 90 to the Baldwin County 64 South sewer project. The city has also applied for a grant to aid in funding for sewer installation in this area.

Also Monday, the council voted to authorize $6,429 be allocated to the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission for the second half of the city’s share for fiscal year 2008.

City leaders also voted to commit $2,000 to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial to honor lost Alabamians from the Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom wars. The funds would not be needed until fiscal year 2009.

In other business, council members heard presentations and recognitions from groups in the community.

Don Druse of Baldwin County Home Builders Association addressed the council regarding the proposed impact fee ordinance.

The fees, if adopted, would levy a 1 percent tax or less on the home builder, to offset costs of growth such as increased public safety and library employees.

Druse said the economy could not bare another tax during a time of financial hardships for homeowners.

“Impact fees would crush that dream of affordable housing,” he said.

Supporting Educational Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools members addressed the council about a proposed location change for the 4th Annual Mamma Mia Cook-off to be held Nov. 8.

Ruth Seawell, SEEDS president, asked the council for use of the new city hall building and grounds since the event has outgrown the current location at Hutchinson, Moore & Rauch on Main Street; city leaders approved the request.

Also, Charlie Sumner was recognized for his Eagle Scout project work at “Gator Alley” — on North Main Street — where he built four tables and two benches, planted 50 pine trees and removed debris.