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Lawrence fire chief says overtime is straining department budget; council presses for staffing and enforcement plans
Summary
At a committee budget review the Lawrence Fire Department warned overtime is running high against a $1 million budget, with minimum-manning limits, long academy timelines and severance obligations cited as drivers; councillors pressed for hiring, enforcement of false-alarm fines and clearer funding plans.
Fire Chief Patrick Delaney told the City Council committee that the Lawrence Fire Department's year‑to‑date budget is generally on track but that overtime is running far above projections, placing pressure on the department's finances.
Delaney, who identified himself as "Patrick Delaney, fire chief," said the department budgeted about $1 million for overtime. "The overtime would have budgeted for $1 million," he said, and described a run rate that could exhaust the appropriation well before the fiscal year ends. He cited long‑term sickness, academy training schedules and contractual paid time off as recurring drivers that force the department to staff shifts with overtime rather than regular hires.
The chief outlined operational constraints that increase overtime costs. He said the department currently holds a minimum‑manning target of 24 people per shift…
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