BOCC Meeting - 1/26/2016

Here is an update for those you that were unable to attend yesterday's Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting.
Our union showed up because of concerns of additional budget cuts. The County needs additional funds for road repairs/repaving and they are looking at departmental and CRA cuts. 

Background info: CRAs are Community Redevelopment Agencies, they are important in that they help with economic development. They are responsible for:

• preparing redevelopment for designated areas; 
• implementing the plan through various means and funding sources (such as tax increment financing, or T.I.F.);
• updating land use regulations

These budget cuts are being discussed because of the board's refusal to increase gas tax to fund the road issue. Several budget cuts were discussed directly related to fire/rescue. Because the cuts are ultimately a budget issue, the topic was Table'd (by Infintini). Public comments were allowed because other Commissioners said it wasn't fair that people showed up for a specific purpose, just for the issue to be table'd.

Commissioner Fisher (District 1) went on the record saying that our County does NOT have a budget/spending issue, but a revenue issue. Vice President Cawby was given the chance to speak and reiterated that fire/rescue (along with the rest of county) most certainly has a revenue issue, not a spending issue. We have been forced to cut the budget and there is now nothing left to cut (without seriously affecting service levels). The union supports a department that operates efficiently, but not at the expense of the safety of our members or the public that we serve.
Everyone understand, these cuts are only being "talked about," but they WILL be more formally discussed in the near future as the Board begins work on next year's budget. It is important for us, as a union, to remain informed and proactive so the Board (and our citizens) understand the importance of a properly funded fire/rescue department.

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