by Kristina Gabalski
Members of the Brockport Fire District Board of Commissioners presented their 2013 proposed budget during a public hearing October 16 at the Brockport Exempts.
About 30 people attended the hearing, including members of the three municipal boards of communities served by the district: the Towns of Sweden and Clarkson and the Village of Brockport.
According to the 2013 budget summary, the budget includes total appropriations of $1.9 million, $1.05 million of which is to be raised by real property taxes. Because the district is a new entity, it is exempt from the two percent tax cap for 2013.
District officials say the tax rate is approximately $1.15/$1,000 valuation, meaning tax on a $150,000 home would be $172.50/yr. or $.47/day. The change in tax is $49.50/yr. or $.14/day.
The commissioners have stated they feel the increase is in the best interest of providing effective fire protection for the district and that the safety and protection of the community and the safety and well-being of the firefighters have been priorities during the budget creation process.
District Treasurer Harold Mundy presented a budget summary and a detailed budget as well as information on the State of the District before the public hearing.
He said the fire department was financially starved during recent years and that inadequate resources have been dedicated to the reserve funds and operating budget.
“The more I peeled the onion back, the more I got ticked-off,” he said.
The budget includes $850,000 for a ladder truck which is scheduled for replacement in 2013.
Also included in the creation of reserves (savings accounts) to pay for the replacement of trucks as well as a buildings and facilities reserve fund and a repair reserve fund to help rectify problems at the 40-year old Market Street firehouse.
Mundy said those problems include deterioration of the east wall and the truck bay floor, lack of exhaust systems in truck bays, lack of ADA compliance, original emergency generator, original furnace and controls and few repairs or upgrades since the facility was built.
He said creation of the vehicle and equipment reserve, the command vehicle reserve, communications equipment reserve and the building/facility reserve would require a referendum which would be held during the district elections December 11.
Following the presentation, Fire Chief Mike Henry noted he didn’t think anybody thought of “all the costs involved in running a district.” He praised the inclusion of proposed reserve funds – “it’s nice to see some thought going into long-term planning,” he said.
Sweden Town Council member Rebecca Donohue was the only person to comment during the public hearing.
She said that although she is for the district she could not support this budget because of “things that are missing.” She pointed to several issues including the fact no revenue is indicated for the sale of trucks being replaced and questioned $30,000 allocated to legal fees.
Donohue said any legal fees incurred in 2012 should be part of 2012 expenses and not part of the 2013 budget. Regarding expenses related to mandates she advised, “they don’t need to be budgeted for in one year, if you have time.”
Chairman James Sauberan said commissioners must approve the budget by November 4.
