Police, fire fill bulk of city budget proposal
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Two city bureaus carry a combined proposed budget of nearly $16 million in a general operational budget proposed at $26.6 million.
The bureaus of police and fire, because of contractual union obligations to increase salaries and provide pensions and health insurance, continue to rattle the bulk of the budget, which is paid for by real estate taxes.
It was no different Wednesday as City Council held a second work session of the proposed no-tax-increase budget, aiming its questions at the chiefs of the two departments that protect and serve, save lives and property and make residents and guests feel more at ease.
City Police Chief David J. Young, whose salary is proposed to be $92,187, presented council with a proposed department budget of $9.3 million. Young privately told the Sun-Gazette that figure could be less by the time the first and second reading of the budget for next year is adopted.
However, while there is no planned tax hike proposed in Mayor Gabriel J. Campana's spending plan, council said it still looks to cut unnecessary spending.
Councilwoman Liz Miele, chair of the finance committee this year, called it "willy nilly" spending.
Campana said the city reached contracts with unions and pays for employees salaries and benefits such as pensions and health insurance.
Young's background with the state police for 25 years and his management style have received high marks from all on council, especially since for much of the year the department has been able to maintain close to or at its budgeted complement of 51 officers.
While Young proposed $300,000 in salary increases, Council President Jonathan Williamson, the unionized officers on the force receive a 3-percent raise over the four years in the contract.
Meanwhile, health insurance costs are budgeted at $2.5 million for police officers in the department, with pensions proposed at $1.6 million.
As he reviewed the combined trio of what line items are most important to him, Williamson noticed the police overtime was reduced by $50,000 and compensation time (time owed officers usually taken by pay at year's end) also was lower by $40,000. Non-uniform officers proposed cost is $118,563, or $3,000 more than this year.
Workers compensation is budgeted at $165,000, which is higher than this year by $8,000.
Overall, the proposed police budget for personnel costs amounts to $8.8 million.
With a rather young force protecting its citizenry -- 25 officers with less that five years on the department -- Young has budgeted $50,000 for training expenses. That includes a dedicated program of career training, he said.
In addition, with today's society calling for officers to employ whenever possible the use of less deadly force, the firearms line item expense is $56,500, compared to $16,000 this year, primarily for purchasing 45 Tasers. However, vehicle repairs of $40,000 are holding steady with this year and leases are $93,000, which helps to balance out the increase in cost of firearms, according to Young and confirmation by Joseph Pawlak, city fiscal and budget officer.
The fire department proposed budget is $6.5 million. It includes $2.2 million for salaries, $2 million for health insurance and $1.4 million for pension obligation. Overtime costs are budgeted $15,000 higher than this year, according to Chief Todd Heckman. The department will have 30 firefighters and three command staff.
Councilman Joel Henderson lauded Heckman and the department for their ability to maintain three firehouses with $10,000 and assistance from the city Streets and Parks employees.
Henderson also probed Heckman about the age and condition of the department's critical response vehicles, such as its engines.
"We have two engines that are about two-years-old(in service)," he said. He added that a tower truck is six years old and anticipates additional purchases of one or two command vehicles in 2019. Another engine might be required in two to three years, with about a year required for ordering it to the specifications the department needs.
At that, Williamson said it might be worthwhile for the city to put aside money for such costs as command vehicles or paying for a new pumper.
While equipment has in the past been paid for with natural gas impact fees, they aren't always going to be available.
Councilman Randall J. Allison asked Heckman about the personnel and who was planning to retire.
Two are going to retire in June and another in December, he said. The plan is to hire two firefighters in the coming year.
Councilwoman Bonnie Katz asked about the training that firefighters are taking at academies and getting continuing education due to preparing for events such as civil unrest and building inspections.
Heckman also said the department is pursuing new turnout gear and The Bureau of Codes budget is $978,251, which is $8,701 over this year's, according to Joseph Gerardi, city codes administrator.