Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reviews Youngstown fire budget, plans purchase of two pumpers and gear
Summary
Council heard that the fire budget for 2026 includes payroll for 120 positions and an anticipated $3.6 million increase in general-fund support driven by vehicle replacements, a 27th payroll and insurance; the department requested technical rescue equipment, turnout-gear replacement and two pumpers expected to be delivered in April.
At the Feb. 24 Committee of the Whole meeting, finance staff and Fire Chief Portman Kelly reviewed the department's 2026 budget and near-term capital needs.
Kyle Leezak told the committee the administration is budgeting for 120 positions across suppression and nonsuppression roles and that, "year over year, the support by the general fund in 2026 over 2025 is gonna be an additional $3,600,000," attributing much of the increase to the 27th payroll, wage awards and higher insurance costs.
Chief Portman Kelly outlined equipment and fleet needs: turnout gear on a roughly 10-year replacement cycle, technical-rescue equipment and two pumpers to replace apparatus more than 27 years old. The administration said the trucks were available as stock models (rather than long custom builds), which shortens lead time, and expects delivery in April; staff said surplus apparatus will be retired and sold at auction after the new units arrive.
Council members asked for a current fleet list and raised broader concerns about whether the city can sustain both police and fire staffing levels. Administration and legal staff said auditors will meet with police and fire in March and hope to complete a performance audit by early summer; labor-specific legal questions were deferred to the law department.
Why it matters: replacement of aging apparatus and recurring payroll changes are significant drivers of the general-fund increase the administration is seeking. Chief Kelly said buying stock trucks reduces lead time compared with multi-year custom builds and may allow more frequent replacement if the model proves suitable.
Next steps: the administration will provide the fleet list and continue budget work with council; purchases will return to the council for authorization when required.
