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Salisbury approves Fire Department budget actions, grant acceptance and code change on chief’s authority
Summary
Salisbury City Council approved budget and policy actions affecting the fire department, including restoring a $1,000 deductible, accepting a $29,625 cancer-screening grant from the Maryland Department of Health, authorizing $47,000 from surplus for Station 1 paving and codifying the fire chief’s authority to designate deputies.
The Salisbury City Council approved several items affecting the Salisbury Fire Department, including budget amendments, grant acceptance and a change to the city code clarifying who serves as second and third in command.
Deputy Chief Chris Obarski said a department vehicle was damaged in a crash not the employee’s fault and the employee paid a $1,000 deductible that the department now requests be returned to its vehicle account. “It took about a thousand dollars out of our own budget… [the employee] ended up paying the city back the thousand dollar deductible,” Obarski said. Council indicated consensus to restore those funds to the department’s operating budget.
The council approved accepting a Maryland Department of Health grant of $29,625 to support an innovative cancer-screening program for fire departments. An assistant chief said the grant funds screening kits and shipping costs and that prior rounds of the program covered a portion of the department; the award will allow annual screening without an outlay from the city. Council asked staff to return in future reports with screening participation and program outcomes.
Fire Chief (unnamed) outlined a request to appropriate $47,000 from surplus to complete paving at Fire Station 1 after bids came in over the department’s prior estimate. The chief said initial planning three years ago budgeted $40,000, but additional issues were found including insufficient base material near an annex and a roof leak previously costing about $27,000. “The lowest bid was $47,000 over our budget, so I'm here to ask for $47,000 from surplus for that,” the chief said. Council indicated consensus to proceed with the paving project.
Council also approved an ordinance amending chapter 2.16.0.02 of the city code to allow the fire chief to designate, in writing, which career deputy shall serve as second and third in command. City staff explained the change is intended to provide the chief flexibility so that the position that functions as second in command is based on current assignment and experience rather than a fixed job title. The ordinance was approved on first reading.
For each item, council either recorded consensus to proceed or approved the related ordinance on first reading; staff will carry out follow-up tasks including scheduling, vendor procurement and periodic reporting to council.
