FIRE MARSHAL

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

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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 $423,300, a projected increase of $18,300. 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, three Deputy Fire Marshals, two Fire Safety Inspectors and an Administrative Assistant II. A step increase has been scheduled for members of the IAFF bargaining unit on July 1, 2024. Members of the IAFF will also receive a 3% COLA on January 1, 2025. Employees not in the bargaining unit are scheduled to receive a step increase and a 3% COLA on January 1, 2025. Part-time bonfire inspectors have been funded in the FY 25 budget at a cost of $28,643. A temporary Administrative Assistant has also been funded to cover scheduled leave for the full-time Administrative Assistant II. Retirement and health insurance increase, while worker’s compensation 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 $240 for FY 25, and include funding for cell phones for each full-time investigator. Training increases $3,392, as attendance at the FBI bomb school and the Police Academy have been funded. The FY 25 budget includes classes for MFRI plans examiner and MFRI fire investigator, National Fire Academy technical training and monthly bomb training. The annual fee for the online bonfire permitting system has been included at $2,040. Bonfire text notification fees have been added at $1,500. Six digital evidence licenses have been funded at $1,872. Equipment maintenance costs are expected to increase $600 in FY 25. 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 $17,181 in the Supplies & Materials line item. Overall, Operational Supplies increase $1,281. Uniform costs increase $1,500 and are funded at $12,000. The safety shoe allowance is set at $190 per pair as part of the bargaining agreement. Vehicle fuel has been budgeted at the FY 23 actual number of gallons, and is expected to increase $1,394. Vehicle maintenance costs decrease $12,632, as vehicle upfitting costs included in FY 24 are not funded in FY 25. Intragovernmental allocations increase for Vehicle lease, IT Services, and radio maintenance. Insurance decreases slightly.