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Again, various news organizations are reporting inconsistencies concerning budget items affecting the Columbia Fire Department. On May 7th, 2009 the Columbia Firefighters Association sent out a Press Release rebutting several statements made in print. Now these same misconceptions are playing out in the television market as well. Here are our comments to the report published by The State Newspaper and other media outlets this week.
Figures recently reported by The State Newspaper:
$2,352,694: Amount the fire department is over budget this year.
$924,751: Money spent on overtime in the fire department this year
$413,000: Money budgeted on overtime for the fire department this year
$1.2 million: Amount city officials told the fire department it had to absorb mid-year because of increased health care and workers compensation costs.SOURCE: City of Columbia
Quite simply, the Columbia Fire Department is NOT over its 2008-2009 Fiscal Year approved operating budget. Of the $2.35 million over budget costs, $1.2 million of this is due to City Finance not properly accounting for and managing health care and worker's compensation costs. An additional $880,000 failed to roll forward from last year's funds for the purchase of two council approved fire apparatus. Out of the $924,751 in overtime costs, $413,000 was budgeted, leaving $511,751 in overtime costs. Funding for these costs comes directly from existing vacancies from fire department salaries. If taken as a whole, including salaries and overtime costs, the Columbia Fire Department will be at or near their operating budget. As of April 30th, 2009 the Fire Department was operating at 96.5% of its funding according to the City of Columbia's Final FY 2008/2009 Revenue & Expenditures Monthly Report - April 2009 (page 12) even with the unfunded GASB 45 requirements added in to it.
April 2009 report cover Memo and Revenue-Exp Report
Overtime pay in the fire service is a misunderstood issue. If overtime paid to public safety employees is removed there are only two options: to reduce staffing, or hire more entry level employees. Not understanding how overtime is paid and used to save money in these systems can easily lead a well meaning observer to come to the conclusion that overtime must be cut. In most instances, however, overtime in the public safety divisions is actually a cost savings measure. "Overtime" pays for mandated OSHA required training, fully staffing critical public safety positions, and the on-going inspections of City buildings. We can assure you that it is not to pad the pockets of wealthy blue-collar fire fighters.
With the current proposed budget there are no funds to replace aging vehicles, to cover training of personnel, maintain fire stations, to replace personnel uniforms or broken equipment, or enough to cover rises in fuel costs.