On Friday, three Ironton Fire Department employees got notice they could be facing layoffs at the end of the month.

On March 1, Mayor Katrina Keith sent out a letter to IFD Chief Mike Mahlmeister, three firefighters, and the firefighters’ union representative about the matter.

The letter said the city had yet to pass a final budget for 2017 and “with significant cuts being discussed throughout all departments, eliminating funding for some positions may occur.”

“Due to the timing of the notification requirements in your collective bargaining requirement, you are hereby notified that you may be laid off due to lack of funding on or after March 31, 2017,” the letter read. “Be assured the City is working to obtain new revenue sources that will allow the City to maintain its dedication workforce.”

Aaron Collins, an Ironton firefighter and president of International Association Firefighters union Local 532, said the notices of a possible layoff came in on Friday.

“It’s kind of a surprise but we kind of knew it was coming because we are the biggest department with the biggest budget in the general fund,” he said.

The Ironton Fire Department has 17 personnel, which includes 15 firefighters, a chief and a inspector. Firefighters work three shifts with five men.

Collins wondered when this circle of events was going to change.

“When are things going to change when it comes to digging ourselves out of a hole,” Collins said. “Because it was only five years ago I went through this same scenario. It’s a cycle, we go through this every couple of years.”

He said some departments had layoffs, the fire department gave some concessions to keep their men and still provide fire protection and services to Ironton. He said it was off about a week before he was called back to work.

“I understand we are a target but as far as our budget, we are always within it. We don’t have any outstanding overtime budget,” he said.

Collins said he might address the City Council on Thursday when this cycle of possible lay offs is going to end. He said there are rumors that the fire department could become a volunteer fire department and he will ask the council about that too.

In May 2013, the City Council passed a budget after a year of negotiation with the fire fighters’ union.

The firefighters union agreed to pay 3 percent of their retirement and made cuts to each firefighter’s uniform and food allowance to make up the difference.

City Council approved a fire contracts in mid-April of that year, which both included a 6 percent wage increase and took retirement pickups to 7.5 percent.

For fire, the city saved $31,000 for the increase in retirement pickup. With the 6 percent wage increase, the city will pay an additional $40,000 in salaries and payroll tax contribution.

Keith was in a meeting and not available for comment.