Orcas Fire and Rescue is in the process of finalizing the 2013 budget.
“We strive to be the best possible stewards of your hard-earned money while seeking sensible advances in our services,” Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien told the Sounder about the process. “We assure that every penny spent is directed at maintaining and improving our service to Orcas Island.”
The proposed 2013 operations budget is $1,619,723 and the estimated revenue is $2,103,100. The operations budget for 2012 was $1,524,053 and the estimated revenue is $2,059,600.
The proposed 2013 increase in operations is $95,670, which is a 6.28 percent rise from 2012.
The projected revenue increase for next year is $43,500, a 2.11 increase.
“The 2013 budget will be a budget that allows us flexibility to catch up on some programs and items that we have not been able to carry out in the past few years,” wrote Rick Anda, the district’s financial officer, in a memo to OIFR chief and commissioners.
The budget includes these main components: legislative: $48,296; employees and administration: $888,475; operations: $200,900; public education: $17,826; fire marshal: $56,400; training: $85,165; facilities: $74,500; maintenance: $119,180; EMS ambulance and operations: $79,281; communications: $49,700; bond payment: $0 ($184,400 was paid last year); capital projects: $300,000. Upgrades and replacements for equipment under capital projects include a pickup truck, radios, a telephone system, computers and software and a medical device called a glidescope.
The majority of salaries have not had any increases in three or four years, so this year the budget has a 3 percent cost of living allowance.
“I truly believe this is the year to catch up on items,” Anda said. “This will allow us to build for the future.”
Recommended improvements include:
$5,000 for strategic planning, which includes staffing, hosting citizen focus groups, advertising, printing and documentation costs. The planning would also include meetings with stakeholders to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of OIFR. At the end of these discussions a report would be published online. O’Brien said they will not hire a facilitator for the planning, which would save the station up to $25,000.
$75,000 for replacing the part-time firefighter mechanic with a full-time position (to be held by an EMT or a firefighter that can also hold a day shift responder position). This position would also replace the current part-time responders filling in at the station.
“Having a mechanic available on a day-to-day basis will provide more consistent apparatus availability,” O’Brien said.
$19,000 for a public information, human resources and admin support position, which would replace the current $10,800 temp position.
A potential cost of $87,200 for improved medical insurance for family members of OIFR full-time staff. Orcas has the only fire district in San Juan County that does not have medical coverage for staff families.
$1,800 data storage systems
$1,920 for website link on the Islands’ Sounder, $1,100 for Orcas Issues link and $5,000 for a quarterly newsletter
$17,225 for incident command training
$41,791 for incident reporting software, hardware and training
The current levy, expiring at the end of 2014, funds all operations and has provided funding for the construction of Eastsound Station 21, Deer Harbor Station 24, the purchase of Westsound Station 22, new apparatus equipment and volunteer benefits.
O’Brien said they are considering asking voters to approve a new levy in 2013, a year before the current levy expires.
“While we must plan for future upgrades to equipment, repairs, and maintenance, by allocating funds to a capital replacement fund, we are looking at ways to lower the overall cost to community,” O’Brien said.
He added that OIFR has “$340,000 in reserve, which is consistent with prudent finances of a district our size.”
A meeting to discuss the budget is set for Oct. 23 at the Eastsound Fire Hall. For more info, call 376-2331.
