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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />OCTOBER 28, 1992 <br />members of the Council sit on the Fire Department <br />Pension Board. Blesener felt the City was very <br />knowledgeable with what is happening with the pension <br />fund, and pointed out that Fire Department budget <br />requests are submitted to the City for review and <br />approval. Blesener indicated that the City was aware <br />of the Fire Department's order of the new fire truck, <br />and pointed out that previous truck purchases by the <br />Fire Department were funded with City bonding. <br />Blesener agreed that the Fire Department did <br />over-estimate their charitable gambling revenues, <br />mainly because of the effect that Indian casinos has <br />had on the bingo hall. Blesener pointed out that the <br />City has borrowed the Fire Department $125,000 to pay <br />off the fire truck. This money should be reimbursed <br />with proceeds from the sale of the 197o pumper truck as <br />well as with 90% of future gambling revenues. These <br />funds will be placed in a fund for the purchase of <br />future equipment replacement. Blesener noted that if <br />charitable gambling funds were not raised, the entire <br />cost of the truck would have been a burden to the <br />taxpayer. <br />Blesener pointed out that the property on which the new <br />fire station was built was purchased with charitable <br />gambling revenues. The City also purchased some park <br />land with these funds. If charitable gambling revenues <br />dry up, there will be no additional burdens on the <br />taxpayer because of these purchases. Blesener felt <br />that the City Council knows where the Fire Department <br />budget goes, and pointed out that the Council sits down <br />with the Fire Department and discusses the budget. <br />Clasen felt that running the Fire Department was like <br />running a business. New equipment is needed, and <br />Clasen felt that the City has relied on charitable <br />gambling revenues to purchase needed equipment. Clasen <br />felt that a study should be done of where the money <br />goes, who is doing what, and who is getting what. <br />Clasen felt that the rent amount being paid the <br />landlord at the bingo hall was not the problem. The <br />problem is the compensation that is being paid. <br />Clasen pointed out that the total cost of the new fire <br />truck was $375,000. Clasen stated that it was his <br />understanding that a year and a half ago when the Fire <br />Department approached the City Council about this <br />purchase, the Council indicated that the truck should <br />not be ordered until the money was in hand. Now the <br />Fire Department is $125,000 short, and the burden to <br />pick up that cost is on the taxpayer. Clasen felt that <br />safety was very important to the citizens of Little <br />Canada, and felt the issue on whether a new truck <br />Page 20 <br />