Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 17, 1991 <br />The Chief reported that the per capita cost of fire <br />protection in the Metro area for the year 1988 was <br />$96.59, the State average was $41.19, and the 1989 per <br />capita cost in Little Canada was $14.90. <br />Dick Boss, Assistant Fire Chief, reported that the <br />budget process this year has been a frustrating one, <br />however, there has never been any anger involved. Boss <br />felt that the best statement that was made is that the <br />Fire Department and City Council should sit down and <br />hash it out. Boss pointed out that there has been some <br />media present at previous meetings, and some of the <br />reports made by the media included statements that were <br />not entirely accurate. <br />Boss reported that the focus of the Fire Department in <br />the past has been to go out and get the job done <br />without telling people just what it is they are doing. <br />The Fire Department recently had a video made to try to <br />get that message out to the general public. <br />Boss reported that the 1992 Fire Department budget as <br />adopted is $469 less than the 1990 budget if the <br />State's contribution was excluded, which Boss felt it <br />should be. <br />Boss reported that the $10,000 the City eliminated from <br />the Fire Department's 1992 budget was actually taken <br />from training and supplies. Boss reported that <br />training is the hub and heart of the Fire Department. <br />If the Department does not train and have drills and <br />attend schooling, the City of Little Canada will not <br />retain its 6 point insurance rating. Boss reported <br />that the good fire rating which the City has results in <br />a reduction in insurance costs to the community. <br />Boss reported that over the last several years there <br />have been a whirlwind of Federal, State, and insurance <br />underwriter mandates which the Fire Department must <br />comply with. The Department's philosophy has had to <br />change in order to meet these mandates and in order to <br />do justice to the fire fighters. <br />Boss reported that he has made some calculations and in <br />order to man a Fire Department with 5 full-time <br />members, 24-hours per day, at a rate of $20 per hour <br />the cost would be $876,000. Boss suggested that there <br />must be some volunteerism with a difference in budgets <br />of $150,000, as requested by the Fire Department, and <br />$876,000. <br />Boss reported that through its charitable gambling <br />efforts, in 1992 the Fire Department is purchasing and <br />Page 4 <br />