HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-166 - Pre-budget approval for staff Fire Station #7development &
Technical Services
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Report To: Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Chair and Members of the Finance
and Corporate Services Committee
Date of Meeting: November 5, 2007
Submitted By: Tim Beckett, Fire Chief
Prepared By: Tim Beckett, Fire Chief
Wards}Involved: 3, 4, 5
Date of Report: November 5, 2007
Report No.: DTS-07-166
Subject: Pre-budget Approval for staff of Fire Station #7
RECOMMENDATION:
"That Council pre-approve budget funding of $1,669,676.00 Salaries and Benefits} for the hiring
of 20 fire fighters to staff fire station #7 with a hire date of January 7, 2008"
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: n/a
BACKGROUND:
In May 2007, Council directed staff to allocate funding of $1,988,000 for the operating of new
Fire Station #7 as the basis for preparing the 2008 operating budget. The Fire Station is
currently scheduled to be completed construction in late December 2007.
The Fire Station was approved as a result of increased response times in the south west portion
of the City. The Council approved total response time is 7 minutes or less achieved 90% of the
time. The current response time in the area is 9 to 12 minutes.
REPORT:
In order to provide service to the community at the level established by Council new Fire
Fighters are required to begin employment in January 2008. Staff will need to complete training
prior to being put on active duty. The objective is to begin the training the first full week of
January to reach the goal to have the station fully staffed and responding to incidents at the
start of March.
Since the 2008 final budget day is scheduled for February 4, 2008 and falls after the Fire
Departments recommended start date, Councils pre-budget approval is required. This will allow
the City to ensure that the Fire Station is operational and providing the necessary level of
service to the Community as soon as possible after construction is completed.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The staffing cost of fire station 7 (salary and benefits} is estimated to be $1,669,676 for 2008.
This amount has been included in the Fire Department's 2008 Operating Budget Submission
which will be reviewed by Committee on January 14, 2008. The proposed budget increase will
result in a property tax levy increase of 2.0% and was included in the overall pro forma levy
increase of 6.1 % which was presented to Finance and Corporate Services Committee in May
2007.
COMMUNICATIONS:
n/a
CONCLUSION:
Station 7 was constructed as a direct result of increased growth in the southwest area of
Kitchener and the increased need for fire services in this area. It is recommended that staffing
for Station 7 is hired in January 2008 and that Council approve the pre-budget funding for the
hiring.
Tim Beckett
Fire Chief