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Fire and EMS dispatch costs and fire equipment plans factored into Wayne's draft budget
Summary
Budget committee reviewed reductions in the fire-equipment line, longer-term capital plans for a tanker/pumper and a possible new fire station, and larger-than-expected increases in shared EMS/dispatch costs allocated among service towns.
The Town of Wayne Budget Committee reviewed public-safety budget items on April 8, hearing from staff about a reduced fire-equipment request and larger allocation increases for shared ambulance and dispatch services.
Shannon, town staff, said the fire equipment line in the draft budget dropped by about $10,000 compared with last year after the department received equipment funding in 2024. The committee discussed the fire department's long-range capital goals, including procurement of a tanker/pumper with about a 1,500‑gallon capacity, retiring and auctioning a 1987 truck, and, in the longer term, planning for a fire station in about five to ten years.
Shannon also presented updated allocations for ambulance and fire/EMS dispatching that increase Wayne's share under a new cost-allocation approach. "That's how they came up with their allocations," Shannon said, describing a method that splits the costs 50% by per‑capita and 50% by usage among the seven communities that use the ambulance service. She reported the ambulance line rises from about $28,004 to $32,068 in the draft and that the fire/EMS dispatch allocation increases materially in 2026; committee members asked staff for the underlying chart that shows town-by-town breakdowns.
Committee members noted the fire truck reserve balance is approximately $75,000 following a 2024 deposit. The group requested a follow-up from staff on the exact reserve balance and on any pending sheriff‑department contract items that could affect public-safety budget lines.
No formal votes on fire-purchase decisions or dispatch allocations were taken at the April 8 meeting. The committee said it will revisit these items as it finalizes the draft operating budget.
