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Fire chief says reaching 10% target likely requires staff cuts or new fees; station closure floated
Summary
Fire Chief Haggerton told the commission the department's 10% reduction target (about $1.9 million) would require eliminating staff or closing Station 64; he also discussed false‑alarm fees, a possible fire service assessment, and that assisted‑living centers generate a large share of calls.
Chief Haggerton told commissioners that the fire department is largely flat on operating costs but that achieving a 10% reduction (~$1.9 million) would require personnel changes or new revenue sources.
"This is how we get there, and this would be, a permanent move going forward," Haggerton said when laying out the most aggressive option, which includes eliminating several positions and potentially closing Station 64 (nine firefighter positions). He described intermediate options such as reducing daily minimum staffing or a combined approach with fee increases and targeted cuts.
Haggerton also discussed potential new revenues: raising false‑alarm fees, creating a fire service assessment or user fee to address high call volumes from assisted‑living facilities (he said about 30% of calls come from roughly 10 addresses), and adjusting inspection fee schedules. He said staff will further study these options and their regional context before bringing formal recommendations.
