AGENDA #2j(1)
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: Daniel L. Jones, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Possible Cuts in the Fire Department FY 2000-01 Budget
DATE: May 9, 2000
The proposed Fire Department budget for FY 2000-01 represents a zero percent increase to operating accounts compared to the FY 1999-00 budget. During budget work sessions with the Manager’s Office, Fire Department staff worked hard to meet the zero percent restriction even though FY 2000-01 represents a time of significant growth, both personnel and equipment, for the Fire Department.
At the start of the third quarter of FY 1999-00, six new personnel were added to the Fire Department. The costs for these personnel were estimated for only ½ of the FY 1999-00 budget. With the proposed FY 2000-01, the increased personnel cost for the Fire Department appear drastic but are due to the full annual costs for those six personnel.
In addition, the Fire Department will take delivery of two new fire trucks this year. Attack 33 will arrive in June of 2000 and be equipped with equipment already owned by the Fire Department. Engine 35, destined for the new fire station, will arrive in late November of 2000. With no additional funds added to the FY 2000-01 Fire Department budget, the cost for equipment needed to put this unit in service came from the proposed budget. The cost for the equipment totals $27,970. The negative impact from the reallocation of the money affects existing services and programs by reducing the amount of money in various line item accounts destined for other programs and services.
The Fire Department staff looked at various options to reduce the operating portion of the proposed budget by two percent. Three viable options were developed. They are presented in order of preference based on continuation of Fire Department programs and minimizing of negative impact affects. Below details the 2% calculation of $8,410 that all options are targeted to
|
FY 1999-00
Operating |
FY 2000-01
Operating |
2%
Reduction Target |
|
$420,476 |
$420,476 |
$8,410 |
|
Description of Cut |
Cost of Cut |
Consequence of Cut |
|
Reduce Training Budget |
$920 |
Reduced opportunity for attendance to National
Fire Academy and NC Chiefs Conference |
|
American Heat Training Video |
$980 |
Video training series used by department personnel
to maintain awareness level and skills. |
|
Color Printer |
$600 |
No negative impact |
|
Semi-Automatic Defibrillator |
$3,600 |
Reduced level of first responder service by not
having a defibrillator in each district on first due fire unit. |
|
Ice Maker at Station #1 |
$1,760 |
Can’t replace aging system now in place. At times, only location for Town employees
to get ice when machine breaks at Public Works. |
|
Prevention Safety Printing |
$500 |
Reduce funds to purchase educational material used
by Prevention Division. |
|
Investigative Supplies |
$50 |
Reduce funds needed to purchase supplied used in
fire cause investigation. |
|
Total of Cuts |
$8,410 |
|
|
Description of Cut |
Cost of Cut |
Consequence of Cut |
|
Prevention Printing |
$500 |
Reduced funds used to purchase various printing
needs for Prevention Division |
|
Prevention Division Supplies |
$500 |
Reduced funds used to purchase supplies used by
Prevention Division |
|
Vapor Analyzer for Arson Investigation |
$500 |
Department will not have a needed piece of
equipment used to detect flammable liquids used in suspected arson cases. |
|
600 feet of Attack Hose |
$1,500 |
Reduced purchase of attack hose. This will result in not maintaining replacement
hose replacement schedule defined in Fire Department’s Five Year Plan. |
|
Ice Maker at Station #1 |
$1,760 |
Can’t replace aging system now in place. At times, only location for Town employees
to get ice when machine breaks at Public Works. |
|
First Responder Equipment |
$1,000 |
Potential reduction in first responder services
due to not being able to purchase needed first responder equipment. |
|
Cut purchase of two sets of protective clothing |
$2,400 |
Reduction in protective clothing replacement
schedule to meet manufacturer’s stated replacement schedule. |
|
Eliminate Pest Exterminator Contract |
$450 |
Elimination of pest control contract for all fire
department stations. |
|
Total of Cuts |
$8,610 |
|
|
Description of Cut |
Cost of Cut |
Consequence of Cut |
|
Eliminate purchase of diesel exhaust system slated
for Fire Station #4 |
$18,000 |
Postpone final station installation of system
mandated by OSHA to prevent employee exposure to carcinogenic particulate
found in fire truck diesel exhaust. |
|
Total of Cuts |
$18,000* |
|
*this option would require reallocation of funds freed up by elimination of equipment. The amount to be reallocated would be the difference between $18,000 and the 2% reduction figure of $8,410.