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Board endorses FEMA SAFER grant application, approves equipment-lease amendment, raises hazardous-duty multiplier and adopts budget amendment
Summary
The board endorsed a FEMA SAFER grant application (~$125,000) for volunteer recruitment/retention, approved an equipment-lease amendment for regional radio funding, voted to raise the hazardous-duty pension multiplier to 1.85% effective July 1, 2026, and adopted a fiscal-year 2026 budget amendment after a public hearing.
The board approved several administrative and fiscal actions during the meeting.
Chief Bailey, appearing remotely, asked for the board's endorsement to apply for a FEMA SAFER grant intended to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters; he said the application seeks roughly $125,000 to fund Firefighter I/II training, cancer screening and supplemental insurance. A supervisor moved and the board approved endorsement by voice vote.
Staff presented and the board approved an amendment to the equipment lease-purchase agreement with Bank of America so project-account funds can be used for regional radio equipment purchases without additional bank consent; staff said bond counsel and financial advisors had reviewed the amendment and recommended approval.
On personnel benefits, the board considered an enhanced hazardous-duty benefit raising the multiplier from 1.7% to 1.85% effective July 1, 2026. Staff estimated the county cost at about $60,000. The board moved, seconded and approved the change by voice vote.
Finally, after a required public hearing, the board adopted an FY2026 budget amendment to appropriate previously received or allocated funds (the transcript records the figure as '2,84,95623' and staff packet language; staff said these were previously appropriated funds not new revenue). The resolution to amend the FY2026 budget passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: endorsements and contract amendments affect how the county funds public-safety equipment and personnel supports in the near term; the hazardous-duty multiplier is a direct compensation/retirement cost with an estimated fiscal impact; the budget amendment is an administrative step required for accounting of previously received funds.
All motions were approved by voice votes; the transcript records voice affirmation but no roll-call tallies in the public meeting record.
