Mich. mayor accepts SAFER grant, may avoid jail time

TAYLOR, Mich. — Taylor Mayor Jeffrey Lamarand announced he accepted an $8.1 million SAFER grant to recall laid-off firefighters Friday, just hours before he was due to appear in court for a contempt hearing.

Lamarand had been ordered by a Wayne County judge to accept the two-year grant, according to the Detroit Free Press, Refusal of the grant could have led to jail time.

Lamarand had opposed the FEMA-funded grant because he said it was a short-term fix that would put the city in a $600,000 deficit because it did not factor in overtime, worker's comp, or unemployment.

His change of heart stems from a possible policy change with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1252 that represents Taylor firefighters. The association voted on a memorandum requiring firefighters to cash in their unused vacation and sick time during the grant period so the city can use the SAFER grant to pay the costs.

Although official results on whether or not the association passed the measure have not been announced, Lamarand is confident that it did.

"This action will save the taxpayers $1.2 million that we could not fund or afford otherwise," Lamarand said in a statement. "With this issue resolved, I now believe that the SAFER grant can be accepted by the city of Taylor."

Even though the grant has now been accepted, Lamarand was still due to appear in court Friday afternoon.