Article 30 – Firefighters Turn Out Gear Equipment Fund – $27,500

Click here to see the wording of this Article as it appears on your ballot.

What it means: In 2019, voters approved $200,000 for a new Capital Reserve Fund for the replacement of Firefighter’s Protective Gear. As of the end of 2022, the fund stood at about $144,000. This fund needs to be added to regularly, so that as gear is replaced using money withdrawn from the fund, additional funds will be available for future needs. This Article would transfer the funds from the Unassigned Fund Balance to the Turnout Gear Reserve Fund.

Those in favor say: This is an annual procedure to keep our Firefighters safe. The protective gear worn by a firefighter is exposed to potential carcinogens while fighting a blaze. A second set of firefighting protective equipment is needed in order to allow contaminated gear to be properly contained and cleaned, while another set remains ready for use. This equipment is customized for each firefighter to assure an effective fit. There are strict standards with regard to the amount of service before the gear must be replaced. To pay for this expense, a reserve fund was established and needs to be regularly replenished. This Article allows funds to be taken from the Unassigned Fund Balance for this purpose.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at theDeliberativeSession.

Fiscal impact: There is no new tax impact. This Article is allowing the transfer of funds from the Unassigned Fund Balance to the previously-established Firefighter Turnout GearReserve Fund.