Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District Budget Committee approved a $2.25 million budget for 2013-14 on May 21 – a $39,000 decrease from the 2012-13 budget.
“The two main factors in this year’s budget decreases stem from anticipated decreases in revenue from property taxes and ambulance receipts,” said Fire Chief Mike Beaver in his budget message.
Changes within the budget include an increase in personnel costs of $34,400 and decreases in material and service expenses of $18,100 and capital outlays of $12,500. Contingency funds decrease by $43,000.
The budget continues to set aside money for equipment and ambulance purchases, reserving $65,000.
Public Employees Retirement System rates are increasing by 4.5 percent, increasing, and insurance costs are increasing some 11.16 percent, driving increases in personnel costs, along with cost-of-living adjustments for six paramedic-firefighters.
Entering the 2013-14 fiscal year on July 1, the district must focus on ambulance replacement, Beaver said.
“Our newest ambulance, a 2007 Braun, has over 126,000 miles on it. Our oldest medic unit, a 2002 model, has 138,000. We have spent in excess of $12,000 this fiscal year on ambulance maintenance.
“While our fleet of ambulances still look and operate to today’s standards, purchasing a new unit or remounting one of our old ones needs to be a priority for this budget year if funding can be obtained. A lease purchase may be the only possible option for ambulance replacement until our 2006 fire equipment bonds are paid off.”
The district is applying for a grant through the Firefighters Assistance program from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to help buy an ambulance, Beaver said. The district also is applying for a state Department of Forestry grant.
The district in April received a $60,000 grant that will pay for 30 complete sets of firefighter turnouts and some other needed personal protection equipment, Beaver said, but it still has some other needs.
“The district currently has the best fleet of fire apparatus and other associated equipment in the history of the department,” Beaver said. “Some of our essential firefighting equipment, i.e., self-contained breathing apparatus, is 13 to 15 years old and will need to be replaced in the next five years.”
Three of the department’s first response vehicles are reaching their life expectancies and will need to be replaced in the near future, Beaver said.
The district has completed the purchase of new narrow-band radio equipment, which complied with federal regulations on Jan. 1, Beaver said.
“The current downturn in our economy has had a negative impact on this district as well as all public agencies,” Beaver said. “We continue to see decreases in revenue from Medicare and other insurance carriers, while experiencing increases in ambulance call volume.
“One new possible concern for the future of all health care providers and revenue is the implementation of Coordinated Care Organizations throughout Oregon. We are yet to experience the financial impact CCOs will have on ambulance services and may not have accurate data for another year or two.”
Low revenue growth and the poor economy are major challenges for the district, Beaver said, but they aren’t new challenges.
At the same time, needs and requests from the citizens of the district continue to increase, Beaver said. “It is our responsibility to meet those needs with less financial resources for the time being. Our job is to maintain a well-trained staff to continue providing the best customer service possible.”
The Budget Committee includes Dawn Mitchell, Tim Geil, Elmer Riemer, Roy Gaskey, Larry Johnson, Charlene Adams, Rob Younger, Noreen Nelson and Kevin Strong.
The approved budget moves next to the district Board of Directors for adoption in June. The new budget takes effect on July 1.