Resident asks Kenner council for long-term plan for millage funds for fire department

A Kenner resident pressed the city council to explain how the millage voters approved for the fire department will be spent over the long term, asking for a timeline that shows when equipment will be replaced and stations will be built.

Greg Taft, a resident of the fifth district, told the council he was concerned that money saved in the general fund after millage revenue was collected was not accompanied by a clear plan or schedule for fire-department improvements. “Do we have a 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-year plan for that money that was saved because of the millage that the voters voted for thinking they’re giving it all to the fire department?” Taft asked. He said the current balance held in the general fund from the millage was about $5.05 million and offered projections that, in his view, could grow substantially over time if not committed to specific capital projects.

Mayor Michael J. Glaser had earlier reminded the council that the city is in a budget cycle and that department budgets had a deadline to be submitted to the finance department. “We’re in a budget cycle starting pretty much this last week. I believe tomorrow is the deadline for the departments to submit their budgets to the finance department. So we’ll have budget hearings coming up later,” the mayor said, noting the process by which spending priorities are reviewed.

Taft asked for a clear schedule outlining when equipment upgrades and station construction would occur, and when the fire department would be positioned to operate without additional extraordinary purchases. He said that while voters approved the millage with the understanding it would benefit the fire department, constituents would like a timeline and expense estimates for the projects the millage is intended to fund.

No city staff delivered a firm timeline during Taft’s appearance; he asked that the administration prepare an answer, possibly at a future meeting, when more detailed estimates and planning information would be available. Mayor Glaser’s earlier comments on the budget calendar indicate that staff will present departmental budgets in upcoming hearings where such a plan could be discussed.

Taft’s remarks were among several public comments during the meeting that raised questions about capital and operating priorities; council members did not take formal action on the request at the meeting.