Agenda Package - 06-15-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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C3 The following is a brief explanation of each department's recommendation: Tramway Fire Department Station 2 The district saw a drop in collection from 97% to 96% coupled with a $6.8 reduction in tax base. The department was still able to obtain a 3.8% decrease in operations over the current year. The primary reason the department was able to achieve this was a reduction in capital reserve. In addition to reducing funding, needs the department was still able to increase part-time personnel. The department recently completed its ISO rating process. The Fire Advisory Board voted to approve the budget request for fiscal year 2009/2010. The projected rate is $0.079, a slight decrease from the current year- West Sanford Fire Department Station 3 The department is faced with some very unique challenges. Unfortunately, the budget submitted by the department for fiscal year 2008/2009 was not their total operating budget. The budget submission reflected a total operating budget of $107,807.00 with other revenue of $23,665 from Chatham County- The other revenue was subtracted leaving a balance of $84,142. This miscalculation was not caught by the Fire Advisory Board, the county finance department, or the management of West Sanford Fire 0 Department until recently. Even at $84,142 this was an I I% increase over fiscal year 2007/2008. The original budget request would have been over a 40% increase to one year. Nonetheless the department is asking for funding of $109,207 from Lee County this year. This represents a 1.3% increase in their funding needs. Unfortunately, the district continues to-shrink due' to loss to the City of Sanford. The district now consists of 267 residences and 3 businesses. The district has suffered a major loss in the closing and bankruptcy of Pilgrim Pride The district's collection rate has dropped from 98% to 86%, the tax base has loss $9.4 million. The department is working hard to provide the level of service expected. They recently held a fundraiser to help cover operating cost. The Fire Advisory Board recently sat down with Chief Richardson. After much conversation, the Fire Advisory Board voted to recommend that West Sanford fire district be allowed to increase the tax rate to $0.15, the maximum amount allowed by the voters when the fire districts was voted in. The rate less the cost of the fire marshal would generate approximately $93,750. Though this is not the amount requested it would allow the department enough funding to continue to serve the West Sanford fire district. The department is aware they will have to look hard at their cost and make cuts in personnel and capital reserve in order to achieve this cost in funding coupled with the projected shortfall of $15,457. The West Sanford Fire Department, the Fire tNlarshal and the Fire Advisory Board are all well aware of the unique challenges facing the department and are working to together to find long tern solutions. •