Fire EMS 2022-02-01 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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6. Recap of Meeting 3 Presentation/Continued Discussion Ms. Reed reviewed the presentations and discussion. New comments and questions from the committee included: • Its important to consider changing times, avoiding debt, thinking creatively, improving service. • I'm comfortable with prioritizing recommendations on enhanced services, but not comfortable talking about cuts to other city programs. • Cuts from other departments should only be implemented as a last resort. I would be in favor of cutting from parks as it is hard for the City to maintain existing parks and to enforce laws and regulations in these existing parks. I would support no new development of parks to save money. • Cuts from other departments should only be necessary; as a last restort, I would be should not be developing new parks right now. • Q: Is it not feasible to contract for inspection services? A: Its possible but must be bargained. • Q: Is it possible to look into the cost of contracting for inspection services? I assume that contracting out would reduce costs quite a bit, is it possible to estimate one year? A: We will look into this. Committee members discussed Question 1: Assume no new funding is available and adding these services will mean cuts in other city programs. Would you support adding any of these, and if so, which options? Responses and questions included: • Q: Inspection revenue seems low, and there is an opportunity to bring in more. Would that revenue help address this question? A: Inspection fees would never be high enough to offset the cost of FTEs. Several committee members noted the difficulty of voting on this questions - not comfortable advising the council here, need more information. Accepting these many caveats, the last round of discussion led to the following input: • I would support inspectors if offset by fees. The public education piece could be with existing emergency management staff. I don't understand cost/equipment needs associated with Cares unit. • Yes to fire inspectors, even if it takes cuts; CARES, no. Public educators ok but not with new staff. • I support Option 4 (Cares unit + 1-2 Fire Inspectors) • No to funding through cuts (6) Committee members discussed Question 2: If new taxes would be required to fund these programs, which, if any, of these options would you support. • I support enhanced services with new taxes. (5 responses) • Q: What is the annual cost for a $500K home? A: Approximately $65 • A new tax should be a last resort. We have to have inspections. (2 responses) • I support enhanced services with new taxes, but also reducing costs wherever possible. • Abstain (2) 2