Brandon Fire Department asks for about $198,327 to start staffing fund; council seeks more detail

Chief Justin Horn of the Brandon Fire Department told the city council the department is seeking roughly $198,327 above CPI plus growth in this year’s contract to create a staffing fund that would allow the department to pay members on a per‑call or hourly basis and cover higher employment costs.

"We proposed May, for this year's contract, which is about a $198,327 more than the CIP plus growth for this year," Horn said, adding the additional revenue "is going to be used to start a fund for staffing." He said the money would pay members whether on a per‑call or hourly basis and would also raise workers' compensation, insurance and payroll taxes compared with the department’s current, largely unpaid, volunteer model.

The request follows a larger $270,000 ask last year that Horn said the department could not sustain. Horn described the current proposal as a step toward part‑time staffing leading,…