FIRE MARSHAL
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
REVENUE CHANGES:
A 20% surcharge for Fire Marshal plan review is added to Planning & Zoning review fees. This method has been more successful in recovering costs associated with the process than methods used in the past. Fire Marshal revenue is budgeted at $405,000, a projected increase of $39,500. The increase is due to an increase in the popularity of beach bonfires.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Eight full-time employees are included in this division. Current staffing includes a Deputy Chief/ Fire Marshal, a Battalion Chief, four Deputy Fire Marshals, and an Administrative Coordinator. A Fire Safety Inspector position was added In FY 23, and will be promoted to a Deputy Fire Marshal in FY 24. A step increase has been scheduled for members of the IAFF bargaining unit on July 1, 2023. Members of the IAFF will also receive a 3% COLA on January 1, 2024. Employees not in the bargaining unit are scheduled to receive a step increase on January 1, 2024. A part-time bonfire inspector has been funded in the FY 24 budget at a cost of $29,845. A temporary Administrative Assistant has also been funded to cover scheduled leave for the full time Administrative Coordinator. Retirement and worker’s compensation increase, while health insurance decreases. No funding has been included for retiree health (OPEB).
CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:
Comprehensive physicals, communications expense, and training are examples of costs included in Contracted Services. Estimates for Communications increase $179 for FY 24, and include funding for cell phones for each full-time investigator. Training increases $5,244, as attendance at the FBI bomb school has been funded. The FY 24 budget includes classes for MFRI plans examiner and MFRI fire investigator, National Fire Academy technical training and monthly bomb training, and attendance at the Police Academy for one employee. The annual fee for the online bonfire permitting system has been included at $2,220. Six digital evidence licenses have been funded at $1,872. Equipment maintenance costs are expected to decrease in FY 24. Equipment maintained in this division includes x-ray machines, a dosimeter and hazardous materials id equipment. Fire and bomb investigation equipment has been funded at $8,400 in the Supplies & Materials line item. A camera for the explosive magazine located at the Airport will be funded through the City Watch project. Overall, Operational Supplies decrease $350. Uniform costs increase $2,490 and are funded at $10,500. The safety shoe allowance is set at $190 per pair as part of the bargaining agreement. Vehicle fuel has been budgeted at the FY 22 actual number of gallons, and is expected to increase $6,804. Vehicle maintenance costs increase $3,000. Intragovernmental allocations increase for Vehicle lease and IT Services, and decrease for radio maintenance and insurance. An F150 crew cab pickup has been funded through Vehicle Trust.