Staunton council authorizes application for federal SAFER grant to add three firefighters, warns of later local costs

Staunton City Council on May 28 authorized staff to apply for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant, a federal program that can fund firefighter positions to raise minimum shift staffing.

Fire Chief Jason Ball said the department is requesting three positions (one per shift) to restore minimum shift staffing from 10 to 11; the change would help the city meet recommended staffing assumptions for ladder and complex responses and factor positively in ISO reviews that affect homeowner insurance rates.

Chief Ball described the grant's funding profile: the SAFER award typically covers a large share of salary costs in the initial years (his presentation cited a roughly $96,000 figure in year one and about $87,000 in year two for the grant share and associated first‑year uniform/equipment costs) with a smaller federal share thereafter (the transcript cited that by the third year the federal share drops and the city would be responsible for a materially larger share — an example figure of approximately $196,603 was referenced as a local cost to maintain the positions). He warned that if the city accepts the grant it must continue the positions beyond the grant period; council discussion cited a multi‑year obligation that the staff described as a seven‑year commitment in practice (three years of grant funding plus a required local commitment period). Finance staff said FY27 costs could be covered with FY25 carryover funding and that later years would need to be identified in future budgets.

Councilors discussed the public safety benefits and the long‑term budget implications. One council speaker noted the eventual local obligation could be equivalent to roughly "a penny in property tax rate" as an order‑of‑magnitude framing for residents; staff later identified specific carryover and FY28 budget lines to be used if the award is accepted.

After discussion a motion to authorize staff to apply passed on roll call. Recorded votes on the motion were: Miss Woods — yes; Mr. Overholzer — yes; Miss Park — yes; Vice Mayor Arowwood — yes. The motion passed and staff will proceed to submit the SAFER application; acceptance of any award will require a later council action that would include appropriation of local match and ongoing budget authorization.

No final acceptance of funds was taken at the May 28 meeting; council authorized only the application.