KIRBY, Texas – A Kirby City Council meeting ended with Councilwoman Susan Street being escorted out after she pressed city leaders on the proposed budget, firefighter pay and a possible administration fee.
During a meeting on Thursday night, the exchange began when Street questioned City Manager Brian Rowland about numbers in the proposed budget.
Street said she had previously sent questions to Rowland but did not receive the information she was seeking until she arrived at the meeting.
“I’m not voting for a budget where I can’t get answers prior to the meeting or even in the meeting,” Street said. “I don’t know why you expect me to just roll over and say yes when we have not had any discussion over these items.”
Street also raised concerns about pay for firefighters. She said firefighters should be making at least $20 an hour, similar to police officers, and said the department had been waiting more than four years for a pay increase.
Street said she would not support a budget unless that raise was included.
Mayor Janeshia Grider and Rowland said a pay raise for fire department staff is included in the proposed budget.
Rowland later responded, “As an elected official, you shouldn’t be here cherry-picking (what) departments should get: this department gets 50 cents, this department gets $4. It should be across the board.”
As the discussion continued, Grider warned Street to stop interrupting. The proposed budget was not passed.
Tensions continued later when the council discussed an administration fee. Street questioned how the fee could affect businesses.
“Why are we going to be able to get businesses in here when they have to pay extra money?” Street asked Rowland, while another councilmember said he had already answered her questions.
A motion was then made to remove Street from the meeting.
Grider said Street had received multiple warnings before the council voted 4-2 to remove her. Street was then escorted out.
Street was elected to the Kirby City Council last year. She was also removed from a meeting in July after questioning city officials.
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