Many leave fire dept., don't pay for training

When new fire recruits are hired by the county fire department, they are required to sign a contract pledging they will work here for at least five years or pay back the county for their training.

But as the county saw almost 20 percent of their new recruits over the last two years leave for other departments and jobs, the Office of Personnel did not fully enforce that condition - costing the county at least $325,000 and maybe even $730,000.

County Auditor Teresa Sutherland said only seven of 80 former firefighters were billed from the past nine academy classes held since 2002. Only two of them have paid back any of the...