DAPHNE, Ala. — “Some people want three, some want none and some want six,” Council President Greg Burnam said as he summed up the argument on hiring additional firefighters during Monday’s city council meeting.

The ongoing argument found some closure when the council voted to appropriate $143,994 in annual funds for three firefighters; Councilman August Palumbo casting the lone dissenting vote.

Palumbo argued that the money simply isn’t available.

“When we’re talking about this kind of money, we don’t need to spend future tax dollars,” he said. “Somebody’s got to speak up here — we don’t have the money.”

Others said the safety of residents outweighed budget concerns.

“Should we be concerned about a few extra dollars or the welfare of our citizens?” Councilman Bailey Yelding said. “If we need it, we need it.”

Councilman Ron Scott and Palumbo had cited Fairhope’s reliance on a volunteer fire department as a possible alternative, but the idea was met with resistance.

Daphne Fire Chief Bo White asked the council to take a closer look at Fairhope’s setup.

“We had 170 calls last month and Fairhope had 30,” he said. “Every time they have a fire at night, they call us.

“You can’t compare the two.”

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette stood her ground in the fight for six firefighters.

“As a resident, I expect full service from my fire department,” she said. “This isn’t an issue of getting what you want or not getting what you want.”

She said of the passed vote for three employees that though it is a positive maneuver, at least three more firefighters are still needed.

“We took a step tonight, but we’re not done. You haven’t heard the last from me,” she said.

Also Monday, city leaders debated other appropriations. To help relieve budget strains, they amended the capital budget ordinance to include $250,000 in future building maintenance versus the previous $300,000 allowance. With the amendment they voted unanimously in favor of the capital budget appropriations of $753,264, which included $60,800 to replace air conditioners at the Daphne Police Department, and adding restrooms to Joe Patrick Park and Park City Park at $47,500 each.