Police and Fire salaries take up more than a third of the city budget, but both divisions are challenged by costs for overtime and acting pay, officials said Wednesday.
Budget deliberations for 2013 got underway with the City Council and the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee reviewing requests from the Department of Public Safety. Finance Director Al Restaino and budget consultant David Kochel were also on hand as Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig and Fire Chief Frank Tidwell presented their budgets.
Hellwig called the Police Division's schedule, four days on alternating with four days off, "a manager's nightmare" when factoring in sick and vacation days that require coverage and acting pay for officers filling in for those of higher rank. Police must cover four shifts a day, he said. While Hellwig and Tidwell both said there was better control than in the past, further improvement may only come through union negotiations.
Observers were at a disadvantage in some of the discussion Wednesday, as the council and committee were working from large budget binders and did not always give figures when challenging costs. Talks sometimes also veered off the 2013 operating budget into other subjects, such as foreclosures, loitering and job creation. Tidwell spoke about the need for a new firehouse to replace one on South Avenue that is historic but unsuitable for large, modern fire engines. The first step, he said, is a needs assessment that could cost about $70,000. Council members suggested researching state or even private funding for a new fire station.
The city is seeking FEMA funds to offset overtime and emergency costs incurred by the Oct. 29 storm dubbed "Sandy." Tidwell said the Fire Division is applying for $80,000.
Other concerns included the status of promised raises for crossing guards and a proposal to hire civilian fire inspectors. The session was recorded for playback on local cable and fiber-optic channels.
The next budget meeting will be 7 p.m. Tuesday (May 21) at the Senior Center, 400 E. Front St., and will cover the Department of Public Works & Urban Development.
--Bernice
Sell the naming rights to a new fire station. Call it 'Verizon East', or 'Firehouse #2, Brought To You By PSE&G.'
ReplyDeleteThe Netherwood Firehouse has been on Capital Improvement plans for years. Perhaps it should receive a "historic building" designation so that the City can not demolish it or replace.
ReplyDeleteHas any one determined actual response times to various 1st and 2nd Ward (East End) designations compared with units from Central Ave? H.Yood
As far as the police department goes Overtime wouldn't be an issue if you didn't create positions and promote the mayors buddies. Really lets be honest. You would have enough officers if you didn't make the re-elect Sharon Unit. The overtime is created by your miss management and not staffing properly. We need 3 sgts. in Admin come on be real. If you demote the 4 sgts you made eliminate the Re-elect Sharon Unit that's at least Eight cops back on the road. Hell you have a Sgt giving out the rest room key at city hall
ReplyDeleteHow about asking some of our residents to no commit crimes, vandalize property and escort little old ladies around instead of panhandling from them? Just a thought.
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