FRANKLIN, Ind. - Firefighters in Franklin have historically been allowed to save unused sick time over the years - up to 600 hours to pull from if they ever needed to. City council members voted to change that on Wednesday night, saying the way they've always done it has put the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Last month, a change to the employee handbook was introduced cutting the maximum number of sick hours that could be rolled over from 600 to 144, compelling several firefighters to speak up. "The ability to bank sick time isn't just about taking a day off when we are under the weather," said Franklin firefighter Cole McKnight during a council meeting on Dec. 16. "It's about having the resources to fight back an illness caused by this job." Some described accrued hours as a safety net in case of an injury to supplement short-term disability pay, which covers only 75% of their salaries. They were also concerned the move could hurt retention and recruitment, hoping the council would consider a smaller reduction. "I feel like we're getting pointed out like we're neglecting public safety, but we're not," said Mayor Steve Barnett during Wednesday's meeting. "We're enhancing our public safety." Barnett said the problem is the liability brought to the city, which now owes nearly $670,000 to employees who've been saving up time. 85% of that total is owed to the fire department, and when employees eventually cash those hours in, they get paid at their current rate, not the rate of the year they saved the hours. "A firefighter was making $51,000 a year [in 2017]. Now they’re making $72,000 a year. If you start banking the money at $51,000, we will be paying it out now at $72,000," Barnett said. "That's what we’re trying to stop – the interest rate and being a bank.”  Barnett said all accrued hours will be paid out in full at the end of this year. Firefighters can begin accruing up to 144 hours starting in 2026. In addition to the firefighter salary growing $20,000 between 2017 and 2025, Barnett pointed out recent investments in fire equipment and facilities, including a $2.5 million station remodel. Right now, Barnett said 69% of the city's budget is dedicated to public safety. "I want to clarify, we’re not taking anything away. We're actually adding to, and we will continue to add to our fire and public safety," Barnett said. "I think our public safety people are paid well, I wish we could pay them more, and we will for years to come.” "In the December meeting I spoke that we did not need to be at 600 hours and what to bring it down to," said Franklin Fire Chief Joshua Snyder. "The board did do research, they followed my recommendation. They said tonight they were going to look into a bank for all city employees which I brought up that night. They're looking into that so that's a positive step in the future." Snyder said he feels his department is supported by the council and the mayor. When asked how he'd reassure any of his firefighters who might have lingering concerns, he said he would say: "That I would do everything in my power to take care of them."