Aurora Fire Department leaders told the council the department’s application for the FEMA SAFER staffing grant was unsuccessful. City staff recommended programmatic and capital changes to maintain core service plans while accommodating the funding gap.

What changes: Staff proposed proceeding with opening Station 18 (Aurora Highlands) in 2026 as planned. The opening of Station 19 (Blackstone/South Shore) will be delayed to 2027, the city manager said, because the SAFER grant had provided the staffing match in the original plan. The budget presentation indicated the change will require reversing the expected SAFER grant line items, adjusting equipment purchases and adding general‑fund staffing for the immediate station opening so Station 18 can be staffed in 2026.

Budgetary effect and reserves: Staff showed a multi‑year pro forma that absorbs the grant denial and the shift of station 19. The net result is an increase in general fund cost of roughly $1.17 million in 2026 and larger sums in subsequent years while the Fire Department’s longer‑term plan incorporates Station 19 in 2027. City staff said they plan to use capital impact fees where appropriate and to consider a measured use of the city’s recession reserve if necessary; they also said a temporary capital solution could be developed to shorten any service gap in Blackstone.

Why it matters: The SAFER program is a common federal funding source for municipal fire staffing; the city’s denial requires the council to weigh reserve usage, capital‑fee allocations and the schedule for adding apparatus and personnel. Council members asked operational questions about temporary responses and how soon a temporary apparatus or site could improve response time in the Blackstone area.

Next steps: Staff said they will bring a formal ordinance and an adjusted capital plan to council for action and asked for affirmation that staff should proceed with the recommended changes. The city manager asked councilmembers to indicate support so the ordinance can reflect the adjustments.