The Police Chief and the Fire Chief each presented an overview of their departments accomplishments and needs for the next budget year. No numbers were presented and that caused some concern among council members. They directed the chiefs to come back with detailed budget numbers next time and they requested details on each department's budget and personnel growth over the previous five years. EMS costs were to be split out separately since there were no EMS costs before 2014-15.
The Police Chief indicated a narcotics unit will be staffed and operational by mid summer.
Both departments are to review fees charged (both cash and in-kind) for outside use of the new public safety facility on DB Wood. They are also to clearly indicate in the budget presentation the amount and source of external funds expected to come to each department.
There was some discussion on whether or not the next two fire stations, one on the west and one on the east, could be built simultaneously since there seems to be an increasing need for a station in the south-east quadrant of the city. Previous studies show the station on the west side should be built next.
The council voted to increase their pay above the amount recommended by the compensation committee. Each council member will receive $1150/month and the mayor will be paid $1250/month.
The council also voted to increase the 2014/15 annual budget by $1.482M due to increased operational and capital costs, including the addition of six (6) new positions for the EMS program.
The council did decline to issue a resolution in support of national action on the misuse of antibiotics.
No comments:
Post a Comment