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Chief warns hiring nine firefighters with 5% raises could push budget millions over
Summary
In budget scenarios presented to the territory, the fire chief said hiring nine firefighters combined with pay increases could create a multi-million-dollar shortfall under high-cost assumptions and urged more precise revenue numbers before finalizing staffing choices.
The Fire Chief walked the council through staffing scenarios for the 2027 budget that tie hiring decisions to pay increases. Under the chief's highest-cost scenario — hiring nine new firefighters with a 5% pay increase — he said the result "would be $3,800,000 over the budget," and he urged caution until staff could verify projected revenues and insurance costs.
Council members asked for supporting data and a historical series of pay-change percentages over recent years to compare. The chief said staff will compile more precise numbers and minutes references so the council can consider more than the high-end scenario before approving hiring or raise packages.
