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Board approves $100,000 fund-balance appropriation to repair fire and EMS apparatus after budget debate
Summary
The Board approved a $100,000 general-fund appropriation from fund balance to cover urgent repairs to fire and EMS vehicles after commissioners debated the use of fund balance versus fee increases and long-term budgeting practices.
The Matthews Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appropriate $100,000 from the general fund balance to pay for urgent maintenance and repairs to fire and EMS apparatus.
Town Manager Becky Hawk explained the request was to cover one-time repairs that exceed the department's annual vehicle-maintenance budget and that the appropriation would allow the department to keep front-line apparatus in service while replacement units arrive. "This is not a pet project," Hawk said. "These are critical repairs to apparatus that are a core part of our fire department fleet."
Fire Department leaders told the board several items required immediate work: a ladder truck with a failed turntable/knuckle that requires large disassembly to repair, and an engine with pump- and suspension-related structural concerns discovered during preventive maintenance. The chief noted that modern custom fire apparatus costs have risen sharply (citing a 2017 engine now eight years old and new units costing in the high six-figure range) and that some older components are proprietary and difficult to replace.
Several commissioners pressed staff on consistency and long-term budgeting. Commissioner Tufano and others said they had been reluctant earlier to increase the stormwater fee and questioned why some needs appear to be funded quickly while others require fee increases. Finance staff and the town manager responded that stormwater is an enterprise fund with recurring obligations and that one-time fund-balance appropriations are a standard tool for unexpected but necessary capital or equipment repairs. Town finance staff also noted the town's fund balance was above the 34% minimum policy (reported at about 37%), but that some of those funds are already committed (for instance, bond and capital payments) and cannot be used for ongoing operating obligations.
Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover moved the appropriation and Commissioner Ken McCool seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The appropriation directs $100,000 from the general fund fund balance to the Fire Department's vehicle maintenance lines so repairs can proceed immediately.
The board asked staff to continue refining the town's capital-improvement and vehicle-replacement planning, and to present clearer forecasts during the FY2026 budget process so recurring versus one-time funding needs are easier to identify.
