Fire chief tells Milan City Council proposed department budget would rise about 141.5% due to staffing

Fire Chief Stevens told the Milan City Council on April 4 that the fire department’s proposed 2023 budget represents a 141.5% increase from the prior year, a change he attributed primarily to increased staffing and related personnel expenses. The presentation, delivered with City Treasurer Sarah Finch, outlined the spike but did not include final line-item detail; Chief Stevens said he will provide more detailed supporting data at the council’s next meeting.

The council treated the presentation as discussion-only; no formal budget vote was taken April 4. City Treasurer Sarah Finch joined the chief in answering procedural questions and confirmed the department’s recent activity levels, including a quarterly report noting 228 runs in the city of Milan. Council members thanked staff for the budget session and asked for the additional data Chief Stevens promised before they take up final approval.

Mayor Ed Kolar and several councilmembers praised recent department scheduling improvements that the added staffing enabled, while Chief Stevens said the staffing increase also drove the overall cost rise. Councilmembers did not express a formal objection to considering the proposal but emphasized they need the detailed figures to evaluate line-item changes, staffing costs, and any one-time or recurring expenses before voting.

The council is scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, April 18; Chief Stevens said he will deliver the requested detailed budget information at that meeting so the council can consider formal approval.