Fire chief: Department budget ‘tight’
KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Most of the increases in the Kingston Fire Department’s proposed $8 million budget for the coming year are related to contractual expenses, Chief Mark Brown said.
Brown told the Common Council’s Finance and Audit Committee on Wednesday that firefighters reached a new contract with the city earlier this year that led to 2 percent increases in their salary, as well as increases in pay for things like longevity.
He said overtime pay is also a contractual issue, as is the “Kelly Day” payback firefighters receive in lieu of overtime for working 42-hours each week. Brown said that while those expenses are up, he has tried to curb costs and do justice by the taxpayers of the city.
“I’ve tried my best to bring this budget down,” Brown added. “If you asked me to cut an item I think it would be tough right now. It’s a tight budget. This past year was a tight budget. We survived on it. It’s just being real careful on how you spend your money.”
The proposed $7,998,469 budget increases spending by approximately $90,000 over the revised 2018 spending plan. It also calls for $430,388 in revenues, an increase of $22,260. The department would continue to have 54 employees under the proposal, one of which is a typist.
The fire department’s budget is part of Mayor Steve Noble’s proposed $44 million city budget for 2019.
Brown said he was able to cut $5,000 from his vehicle maintenance budget due to having newer apparatus. He said he also has vehicle repairs done as much as possible by staff at the Department of Public Works or by a firefighter who is also a mechanic.
That saves the city on labor costs, Brown said. He