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Fire department budget review: tax-rate options and possible brush-truck purchase
Summary
Town presenter reviewed options tied to revaluation and revenue-neutral rates, described the fire department’s budget needs (training, CAD equipment, weekend coverage) and outlined a possible brush-truck purchase that could be partially funded with county funds and grants.
A presenter explained the town’s current tax rate and the effect of the revaluation on revenue-neutral calculations, saying revenue-neutral would be about 6.5¢ and that the board had discussed possibly raising one additional cent. The presenter said the extra cent would raise forecasted revenues and help the fire department cover added staffing and equipment needs.
The fire-related presentation outlined personnel costs (including a 5% salary line for cost-of-living adjustments), plans to add weekend daytime coverage, expenses for CAD/iPad integration in vehicles, and a proposal to replace a brush truck. The presenter referenced a quote of roughly $78,000 for an F-450 with upfitting (for a heavier-duty brush truck) and said county funds and FEMA/grant timing were factors in whether purchase would occur this year or next.
Board members asked about the timing for vehicle orders (model-year cutoffs) and about how South Bend contract money is disbursed; staff clarified that county-held funds do not automatically flow back and must be requested. The meeting produced no vote; the board asked staff to return with grant and financing details.
