08-25-04 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

eommittEE CRE�lo'Lt o f t J� p ( n (� . E'tlonnLL and 9iizaneE eommmittti of tl2E CSout/ Be, l (..?ommon eouneiL officers. It was also noted that there are three (3) free alarms permitted before anyone is charged. Council Member Puzzello also inquired about the amount of money collected under the hazmat contract, noting that during the fire negotiations the projected income for the haz mat contract on the toll road was listed at $6,045 for this year, and that false alarm fees were over and above that amount. Chief Switalski stated that Fund 288 would reflect the haz mat revenues. Tom Skarbek stated that it was his understanding that the new toll road contract was currently in the Mayor's Office and that the Council would be acting on it later this year. Dr. Varner inquired whether the was an exemption for city-owned property or other exemptions from fines under the alarm ordinance. He was advised that there are no exemptions. Council Member Kirsits voiced concern that if$3,000 has already been received in false alarm revenues this year why is an amount not listed as revenue in 2005. He also noted that 65% of the training funds are EMS related, and inquired whether enough monies have been budgeted for training. Chief Switalski stated that the travel line item is also used for training, and stated that the department can"live with it",however he noted that overtime is a budget problem. Chief Magdalinski stated that if there is not enough money that they would look for a special appropriation since there is a definite benefit to having firefighters properly trained, especially when providing specialized medical services, confined space,hazmat,etc. Council Member Dieter inquired whether enough monies have been budgeted for extra and overtime. Chief Switalski stated that the amount budgeted is the one to meet the minimum contract requirements for off-duty training. $680,000 is budget for this year with$370,000 being used to date. He added that there is a 20-week recruit class and currently the department is down by three (3) firefighters due to one serving in the military, one resignation and a recent retirement. Rick 011ett noted that each April the performance based budget comes out and that although$3.5 million is generated in revenue a subsidy of$1.7 million is still needed. Chief Switalski noted that EMS services must be affordable and collectable, and are track the Medicare rates. The basic BLS charge is $400 with Medicaid paying only $150 of that amount from the State of Indiana. He noted that the city's rates are lower than private ambulance companies. He noted that a fire station study is currently underway and would be shared with the Council. Grants are not available for the computers which are needed in the command vehicles however grant money was used for self-contained breathing apparatus. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting of August 25,2004 Page 4