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Interim fire chief reports budget strain: gear and repairs over budget, staffing questions ahead of budget season
Summary
Newport's interim fire chief told council the department is about 43% through the budget with gear and equipment overages (one line at ~131% over budget) and significant repair needs; council directed follow‑up and emphasized that any salary changes must be authorized by the council.
The Newport City Council heard a detailed fire department budget update on Nov. 4 as staff prepare for the upcoming municipal budget cycle.
Interim Fire Chief (speaker S9) said the department currently shows approximately 43% of its budget expended to date; some line items are skewed because full‑time chief position costs were at zero and other categories vary. The chief reported that firefighter quarterly payments totaled $12,408 (described in the record as roughly 50% of one budgeted category) and that gear replacement and station equipment costs have exceeded budgeted amounts — the chief cited a gear line at roughly 131% (about $3,747 over) and station equipment overages around $4,730.
The chief described the department's typical rotation for gear issuance and noted recent purchases (helmets, boots, jackets) and upcoming maintenance for apparatus including an air trailer and engine repairs. Training payments and an increased hourly rate for some activities contributed to higher expenditures. The chief said available line items for equipment and maintenance are limited and that some purchases may be reallocated to other budget subcategories.
Council members reiterated that compensation for officers and employees is fixed only by council action under their charter; the mayor and council agreed to a deeper review of prior authorizations and to pull historical budget numbers for comparison. The council appointed Kevin Charbonneau as liaison for further work with department staff ahead of the budget process.
