Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the acceptance of a SAFER grant to partially fund 18 firefighter positions and amends the Fire Department’s 2017 operating budget to reflect grant revenues and increased City costs, if the grant is awarded.
The 2017 Capital Budget includes funding to design a new Far South East Station, and the Capital Improvement Program anticipates construction in 2018. To staff the station when it opens, 18 firefighters will need to be hired for a recruit class in the summer of 2017.
The SAFER grant would pay 72% of the salary and fringe benefit costs of the 18 firefighters in 2017 - 2018, and 35% of the salary and fringe benefit costs of the firefighters in 2019 - 2020 for a total of $2,535,241. In 2017, the grant would cover $361,968 of the salary and benefits and the City would be responsible for $131,845 of the salary and benefits. The City would also be responsible for $138,122 for uniforms, equipment, and services for the recruits for a total 2017 City cost of $269,945. This funding is not included in the 2017 operating budget.
The total estimated City costs for 2018 - 2020 are $2,438,763 and would need to be included in the Department’s operating budgets for those years. This includes funding the incremental cost of upgrading 18 firefighter positions for this station: 5 to Lieutenant, 4 to Apparatus Engineer, 3 to Firefighter/Paramedic 2, 6 to Firefighter/Paramedic. These upgrades would be effective when the station opens. After the grant period has been completed, the City’s anticipated annual cost of Station 14 is $1,611,700.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Amending the 2017 Fire Operating Budget and accepting a SAFER Grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) if awarded from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for eighteen (18) firefighter positions.
Body
A SAFER application is pending for eighteen firefighter positions. The SAFER grant application is requ...
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