Byars clarifies fire department budget

Howardwick Mayor Greta Byars has clarified the city’s new budget in terms of the funding for the fire department there.

Last week’s Enterprise reported that the fiscal year 2019 budget approved by the city council September 11 included more than $3,000 in additional funding for the department. However, Byars points out that the department’s discretionary funds have actually been reduced significantly.

The city’s current budget included $3,000 in discretionary funds for the fire department, but the city’s actual fire department expenses – for insurance, fuel, electricity, and propane – amounted to an additional $6,584.22 that was not previously budgeted in that line item. That brought the city’s total expense for the fire department to more than $9,500 for fiscal year 2018.

The new budget line item for the fire department totals $6,475, covering department’s expenses for fuel, insurance, and utilities but reducing the department’s discretionary funds from the city to $500, a drop of $2,500 compared to the current year.