Finance Committee OKs $252,100 for support operations

EL DORADO — The El Dorado City Council Finance Committee OK’d Friday budget adjustments totaling more than $252,100 to support operations for the police, fire, and public works departments.

The requests will be presented before the full city council for final approval on July 20.

During a finance committee meeting, the police and fire chiefs presented funding requests to cover an additional salary and equipment purchases.

Throughout the discussion, city officials kept in mind Lt. Trey Sewell, an engineer with the El Dorado Fire Department who was seriously injured on June 30 in an automobile accident on U.S. 82, just west of El Dorado city limits.

Sewell sustained a fractured pelvis, shattered kneecap and severe damage to his right leg that resulted in an amputation just below the knee.

He is in critical care at LSU Health Shreveport (Louisiana).

Fire Chief Chad Mosby asked city officials to reinstate a firefighter’s position that was left vacant due to 2017 budget cuts.

Since last fall, the finance committee has been meeting monthly to keep a close watch over revenue trends.

City officials projected a $1 million revenue shortfall in the city’s general fund for this year, and the finance committee asked city departments to trim their 2017 budgets to the bare bone, without affecting city jobs or services.

The committee also placed capital purchases on hold.

On Friday, committee members noted that sales tax revenues are performing better at the start of the third quarter of the year, but “the city is not out of the woods yet.”

Mosby told the committee that his department is down six firefighters due to three retirements so far this year, military duty, and extended medical leaves, including Sewell.

“It’s still premature to determine if he can come back to work. He has the potential to be out for a year or better,” Mosby said in response to a question by Mayor Frank Hash. “That takes another member off our staff.

On paper, reinstating the position would bring the number of

uniformed personnel for the fire department to 51.

The fire chief said two candidates are on the certification list for past civil service exams, but they will not be able to attend the Arkansas Fire Training Academy until August.

“We left one position open in the budget cuts, and I’m asking for that position back to hire a third person,” Mosby told the finance committee. “I’m just asking for the original staff before the budget cuts.”

He said the fire department is seeking a certified candidate, acknowledging that it is a challenge to bring on candidates who are already trained.

“Most local candidates are not trained, and when we try to hire from other communities, they’re reluctant to move,” Mosby said.

He said the cost to fill the position would be approximately $24,000 for the remainder of the year.

Police Chief Billy White noted that his department is fully staffed at 51 for uniformed personnel.

The police and fire departments have traditionally maintained parity among non-civilian employees.

Alderman Vance Williamson voiced some concern about Mosby’s request.

“We don’t want to get into the last quarter of the year, and it (revenue) doesn’t get any better, and we have to kick it back to 50,” Williamson said.

“We can OK it with the understanding that if the council approves it, and someone leaves, the position won’t be filled if the money’s not there,” Alderman Dianne Hammond said.

Mosby also requested $20,000 to replace 10 sets of worn-out protective equipment, or turnout gear.

In the past, the department replaced 50-plus sets at once, but a few years ago, the city council asked the fire department to come up with a plan to stagger the replacements as a cost-cutting measure, Mosby explained.

He said the sets are roughly $2,000 apiece.

Hammond asked if any grants were available to cover the purchase.

“Currently, there are no grants. It’s a normal request every year, and the city council grants it,” Mosby said. “They asked us to work out a replacement plan, and this is the replacement plan.”

Mosby and Deputy Assistant Fire Chief Sean McCall and Fire Marshal Jason Evans said the department was recently awarded a $150,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

They said the grant covers equipment to deal with hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction.

Also included in the grant is a new vehicle for the fire marshal.

Since 2017 capital expenditures were suspended because of budget cuts, Mosby said the fire marshal has been “limping along” with the 2000 model car.

Mosby said the car has had ongoing transmission problems, and McCall said approximately $5,000 has been spent so far this year to “make sure it’s safe” to drive.

“It’s not an emergency response vehicle. He drives it around to do an inspections to make sure buildings meet the fire code,” Mosby said.

Police department In other business, White requested $17,118.15 to cover the partial cost of a new patrol unit.

Last month, the finance committee approved $32,000 for the purchase of a new patrol unit for the police department, and on Thursday, the city council gave the final nod for the purchase.

White said in June that two new patrol units would meet the immediate needs of the police department, noting that one unit was sidelined because of a failing transmission, and the electrical system of another was destroyed when lightning struck the house next to which the patrol unit was parked.

The finance committee agreed then to purchase one unit and consider the purchase of a second in the next two or three months.

On Thursday, White said the same day the committee agreed to purchase one unit, another unit was totaled in a wreck.

“An elderly gentleman ran a stop sign and struck a cruiser,” White said.

The man’s automobile insurance policy will cover the value of the car, which was three years old, at $11,000, White said.

“Our part would be $17,118.15 for decals and (equipment) installation,” he told the committee.

The police chief also asked for $6,000 to purchase new portable radios to accommodate five new officers who were recently hired, to replace some existing radios and for a couple of backups.

He said the radios are used to communicate within the police department and for the command staff to communicate with the fire department and the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Hammond asked if any grants were available or if the police department had checked with local companies about a donation to purchase the radios.

“I don’t know if there are any grants for the radios. There weren’t for vehicles, so I would say no,” White said. “(The companies) are pretty well tapped out. There aren’t any monies out there. That’s why we made the suggestion to adjust the budget.”

Public works The committee revisited a request made last month t purchase a new rear-loading garbage truck for the department of public works.

A budget request of $170,000 was on the city council’s agenda on Thursday, but Hammond said then she thought the cost of the truck was $210,000.

The council referred the matter back to the finance committee.

Robert Edmonds, director of public works, explained Friday that $210,000 was the initial cost estimate for the new truck.

“But we found one with a different chassis that we can use, so that will bring it down to about $185,000,” Edmonds said.

The city council will consider the request again on July 20.