Less money for Kitchener Fire?
Posted Nov 5, 2012 08:55:54 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Kitchener is looking over the figures ahead of deciding where to save some money in their 2013 budget.
One key expense up for review is Fire Department staffing. It’s one of ten options staff have given Councillors.
This particular line item would see Kitchener Fire’s staff cut through attrition by $480,000, equalling the salaries and benefits of four fire fighters.
Chief Tim Beckett tells 570 News he opposes this cut.
“My staff and my office are not supporting this option, however, with an option having to be put on the table on what a savings may look like, this is the only option we had to bring forward. It is not a recommendation from fire management.”
Finance and Corporate Services Chair Scott Davey runs down all the numbers.
“Right now, we’re sitting at 2.87%, so right now the options were tabled to reduce that by a further 1%, to possibly 1.87%.”
Davey encourages residents to try out the city’s new budget calculator tool, aimed at giving residents a taste of the difficult decisions Councillors are facing with the 2013 budget. It allows users to input their own tax information and see directly how much their household could be affected by each option.
Residents are also asked to voice their opinions through a number of channels, including on the city’s website, facebook, or twitter. Residents are also invited to attend a public input night, scheduled for January 7th.
Final budget day is January 17th.
More information is available on the City of Kitchener website.
