New London City Council continues to struggle with public safety expenses
New London — Members of the City Council on Monday said they would try to squeeze more money out of the current budget to replace outdated gear for firefighters rather than borrow $1.4 million as part of a wide-ranging public safety equipment borrowing plan.
The Council’s Finance Committee on Monday renewed its call for a capital expenditure plan from the city’s finance department, a list of priority items that need to be funded. They also questioned why high liability public safety items such as the firefighter turnout gear was never funded even though the City Council approved it.
“Why are we finding out at the beginning of the new fiscal year?” Erica Richardson, chairwoman of the public safety commission and member of the Finance Committee, said.
Prior to the new fiscal year, Richardson said the council had approved spending on such items as the turnout gear and ballistic vests for police. The items were never purchased, however.
The full council last month was asked to vote on a $1.4 million bonding package with a list of items that included firefighter turnout gear, a new emergency dispatch system, body cameras for police and self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters.
Richardson said the Council did not find out some of the items were stripped from the budget until two weeks ago.
“This a problem,” Richardson said. “It was removed from the budget before we ever even saw the budget. We should have been told.”
Risk Manager Paul Gills said the fire department has submitted a request for $48,000 for 16 sets of turnout gear as part of its regular budget. The items were completely cut by the city administration.
City Fire Chief Henry Kydd said at the very least the department needs 20 sets of turnout gear and five sets of self-contained breathing apparatus, at a cost of more than $100,000.
“I’m looking at protecting this department and I’m looking to protect this city,” Kydd said.
City Councilor Michael Passero said it appeared the expenses were deliberately not included in the Mayor’s proposed budget so they would have to be funded later, outside the budget.
Passero said the city was on schedule to double its debt service from $5 million to $10 million within the next 10 years, making more borrowing a hard sell.
“It looks like we’re digging an awful hole for our children to have to climb out of down the road,” Passero said.
The Finance Committee is expected to hear more about the public safety items during its next meeting in a week. Passero, Richardson and City Council President Wade Hyslop, Jr. all are members of the Finance Committee.
Twitter: @SmittyDay
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