Mayor & Council Release Fire Department Budget

COSTS OF FIRE PROTECTION For The Calendar Year 2007 

Fire:
Salaries & Wages…………………………………. $2,398,237.50
Other Expenses 238,800.00

$2,637,037.50

Note: Overtime through October 10, 2007=$279,015.38)

Uniform Fire Safety Act:
Salaries and Wages………………………………… $70,085.01
other expenses 8,000.00

$78,085.01

Office of Emergency Management:
Salaries and Wages ……………………………………………………………. $28,000.00

Other expenses 10,000.00

$ 38,000.00

Indirect Costs:
Insurance:
Estimated 25% of JIF/MEL Premiums ($546,149.40)…………………….. $136,537.35

Premium for Gloucester Heights Policy………………… 1,985.50

Volunteer Life Insurance Premiums……………………………………. 248.18

$138,771.03

Group Insurance Plans (Including Retirees):
Medical ………………….. $424,908.00

Dental …………………….. 24,048.00

Prescription ………………………… 118,029.96

Vision Reimbursements……………………. 158.00

Medicare Reimbursements (Retirees) ………………………… 4,488.00

$571,631.96

Utilities (Including Volunteer Stations) (2006 Figures)
Electricity ……………………………….. $30,503.06

Gas……………………………. 25,640.51

Telephone ……………………………………….. 5,394.24

Sewerage Disposal………………………………………. 945.00

Gasoline & Diesel Fuel …………………………………………………………………… 21,442.32

$83,925.13

Employer Share of Payroll Taxes:

Social Security @6.20% …………………………… $6,695.09

Medicare @1.45% ……………………….. 36,196.68

$42,891.77

Contribution to Police & Firemens Pension System:

47.24% of 2007 Pension Bill of $507,116.80 ……………………………. …………….. $ 239,561.98

Subtotal Operating Expenses……………………………………………………………… $ 3,829,904.38

Debt Service Related to Fire Capital Expenditures:

Bond Anticipation Note Principal ………………………………………. $76,500.00

Interest on Notes …………………………………………………………….. 54,875.25

Serial Bond Principal:

1992 Bond Issue (14.72%)………………………………………………………… 46,956.80

1995 Bond Issue (10.05%)……………………………………………………… ….. 31,155.00

Interest on Bonds:

1992 Bond Issue (14.72%)…………………………………………….. 1,467.40

1995 Bond Issue (10.05%)…………………………………………….. 7,039.27

_____________________________________________________________________217,993.72

 

Total Expenses ………………………………………….. $4,047,898.10

 

Signed: Gloucester City Mayor and Council 

Note from Site Editor: There was some discrepancies with the amount of the Fire Department\’s Budget. The Union said the amount was $2.49 million for all fire department services. Mayor and Council said the amount was $4 million. I had asked for both sides (City and Union) to provide factual information to back up their claims. Today, I received the above information by email from Mayor and Council.

I am hoping the union will follow suit and release the document showing the budget was what they claim it was, $2.49 million. I had also asked the union to explain how $50,000 was spent in one month for overtime. Were there firemen injured fighting a fire who are not able to work? Or are firemen abusing the sick leave benefit.

On Saturday, October 13 the union members held a protest rally during the Heroes to Hero 5K memorial run seeking public sympathy for their cause. The union\’s contract expires in 2008.