Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

78

Budget Impact: Fighting fires isn't what is used to be. Today, the department responds to more than just fire calls. We respond to any and all hazards, and it takes dedicated firefighters with proper training to handle these calls. The fire service industry is constantly evolving, and the department must stay up to date with the latest processes and standards to be as safe as possible. The emphasis is to add certified paid on call staff in a wide array of disciplines. Several new EMT certified paid on call staff were trained under the current budget. As with all paid on call departments, finding individuals wanting to join the department can be a struggle. Current efforts have proved successful. The budget presented maintains the status quo with regards to staffing levels at the Fire Department. No new positions have been proposed or added to the department. The budget contained herein does allow for the construction of a new training facility for the department which will also be utilized by other area fire departments for training as well as other organizations. Clay County has indicated their willingness to participate in the construction of the facility in order to allow the smaller county departments to utilize the facility. The Fire Department continually seeks grants and donations to support their efforts. Currently, the department has a grant application under consideration for the updating of the department's SCBA equipment. If successful, this grant will allow the department to reallocate the funds earmarked for the equipment replacement towards another project.

Future Concerns:

As with the Police Department, an area of concern is the costs associated with the city's match for the 411 pension system. The current system places all of the burden of any annual costs adjustments on the employer, therefore, if the System increases the needed contribution, the city will be responsible to cover those costs. The past few years have seen a decrease in the city's contribution rate, but given considering that the contribution rate is subject to investment returns, that can change. Another area of concern is the rising costs of Worker's Compensation Insurance for the department. For perspective, the city has estimated a total amount of premium for all departments at $257,772 for the budget year. Of that amount, $106,795 (41.43%) is allocated to cover the members of the Fire Department. The city will continue to monitor the situation as there is not much that can be directly done. The Department has not seen a major work comp claim in two years.

Percent of General Fund Expenditures (net transfers)

Employees

36

35

35

32

5

5

5

5

Actual 15/16 Actual 16/17 Budget 17/18 Budget 18/19

Fire Department 8%

Number of Employees (FTEs) Paid on Call Firefighters