Fire Station review appears to be heading for approval in new budget

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 22, 2016 10:00 a.m.

 

The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) held a short Special Meeting on August 16, 2016 to review updates to the FY2016/17 Budget as a result of their workshop on August 9. The meeting lasted five minutes, there was no vote taken and no member of the public asked to speak.

City Manager Dale Martin reported to the FBCC that at their request he had identified funding for a review of existing Fire stations requested at the previous meeting. The estimate for such a study is approximately $20K. Martin said that he secured the funds by reducing the Clerk’s budget by $5,000, representing the lack of need for a runoff election in December; reducing the transfer of funds to the municipal golf course by approximately $25K. The driving range improvements scheduled for next fiscal year will be shifted to a future year.

Martin said that as a result of some additional, smaller adjustments, the General Fund Reserve will be about $20K above the 20 percent required by city policy. Additionally, a 25.5 percent restricted reserve will be held in the Building Fund.

Commissioner Len Kreger
Commissioner Len Kreger

City Commissioner Len Kreger said, “This budget was developed in my mind to give the city most of the resources they need to move on and get the job done. ‘Getting the job done’ is not the same as ‘business as usual.’ It’s to be more efficient, and that’s the goal.” He said that levels of service have been increased in public safety and other city departments.

Although no vote was taken, commissioners appeared to support the changes Martin put forward.  Commissioner Tim Poynter did not attend the meeting.

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.