Council debates use of unspent CDBG funds for fire vehicles and turnout gear; asks for audit and clearer reporting

Binghamton City Council members questioned a midyear request to move unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars to buy 1 medic vehicle, 1 hazmat/utility vehicle and additional firefighter turnout gear, pressing city staff for a full audit and clearer, recurring reports on unspent federal grant funds.

The funding request, presented at the June 16 work session by Deputy Mayor Megan Hyman and Fire Chief Al Gardner, would amend the city's FY50 CDBG action plan to transfer older, unspent grant allocations toward capital equipment for the Binghamton Fire Department. Hyman said the two vehicles would help firefighter-paramedics respond to citywide medical calls and that turnout gear must be replaced according to national standards; Chief Gardner said the department needs a 1-ton utility for towing hazmat and foam trailers and a one-ton pickup to serve as a medic response vehicle.

Council members focused less on the fire technical needs than on the source and oversight of the money. Council member Murray and others said the council has repeatedly been told that isolating an exact unspent balance is complicated and that, in practice, older allocations have gone unspent for years. Murray asked for a full audit of unspent CDBG, HOME, ESG and COVID-related dollars dating back to fiscal years referenced in the packet (items as far back as fiscal year 44…