Agenda Text
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Requesting an appropriation of $381,000 from Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Fire Department's Overtime Account.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
During the past year the Somerville Fire Department has experienced an overwhelming increase in overtime due to permanent vacancies, members awaiting retirement and long term sick and injured. Presently the fire department has 6 permanent vacancies and 3 members who are waiting retirement. This past year, the fire department has had a higher than normal amount of personnel out on extended sick and injury leave, currently there are 11 members out on this status. This makes a combined total of 20 vacancies, both permanent and temporary that needs to be filled to comply with minimum staffing requirements. This situation has led to a budgetary overrun in the Overtime Account.
I have been working with the Personnel Department to put new recruits onto the reserve list. This process has been ongoing and we are ready to put forth names to your Honorable Board for consideration. We are looking to put new recruits into an upcoming fire academy class.
The projected budgetary overrun in FY2016 is $500,000. With your approval, we are hoping to mitigate the overrun with this proposed $381,000 appropriation from Free Cash combined with an interdepartmental transfer from E-911 in the amount of $119,000.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joseph A. Curtatone
Mayor