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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 11, 1991 <br />about 70, while it is proposed that the Fire Department <br />get an increase of slightly over 10. <br />The Fire Chief felt that cutting the Fire Department's <br />budget will make it difficult to keep its equipment in <br />top shape. The Fire Chief reported that the Mayor has <br />indicated to him that public safety is one of his <br />highest priorities. The Chief noted the charitable <br />qambling funds that the Fire Department is generating, <br />and felt that the Department's 10% contribution to the <br />City could be funneled back to make up the budget <br />shortfalls that the Department has experienced over the <br />last three years. The Chief indicated that the <br />Department has held the line on the budget very <br />closely. The Department had a$20,000 shortfall over <br />the last two years, and the Chief anticipated another <br />$20,000 shortfall during 1992. The Chief felt the <br />Department's high quality of service will suffer, and <br />as a result, the public will suffer. <br />The Chief indicated that under the present budqet, the <br />Fire Department is not very willinq to enter into a <br />contract with the City in 1992, unless there is some <br />additional £unding. The Chief indicated that the <br />Department will not fail to answer a fire call, but <br />will not enter into a contract with the City because of <br />safety concerns and concerns about having fire <br />equipment ready. <br />Dick Boss, Assistant Fire Chief, appeared before the <br />Council and reported that since 1946 the Fire <br />Department has always had some sort of fund-raising <br />efforts to purchase equipment. During the last 4 1/2 <br />years, the Department has been involved in charitable <br />gambling and raised $608,660; 10% of which has been <br />donated back to the City. Boss also reported that the <br />new fire station was very much needed, and a station <br />that serves all the citizens of Little Canada. Boss <br />reported that the Fire Department will continue its <br />fund-raising activities and will continue to serve the <br />public. Boss suggested that a portion of the 10% <br />donation that the City receives from charitable <br />gambling be tapped and funneled back to the Fire <br />Department to make up the shortfall. Boss reported <br />that the additional funds are needed to maintain the <br />safety integrity of the Fire Department. <br />Blesener pointed out that charitable gambling funds <br />were used to purchase the new fire station site. <br />Blesener also pointed out that the discussion at budget <br />workshop meetings was that a portion of the 10% <br />gambling monies the City receives would be used in the <br />future to purchase capital improvement items, including <br />Page 6 <br />