http://www.news-press.com/article/20110623/NEWS0102/106230416/Bonita-dissects-fire-budgetÂ
Bonita Springs Fire District officials spent Wednesday struggling with ways to make up for a $4 million budget shortfall without increasing taxes.
Commissioner Ed FitzGerald suggested cutting up to seven jobs, recommended 10 percent pay cuts for top-earning employees and asked commissioners to surrender their $5,000 yearly salary.
He then specifically targeted training units and two of the department’s most recognizable faces – public information officer Debbi Redfield, who makes $65,000 a year, and public education officer Nicole Hornberger, who makes $54,267 annually.
FitzGerald said after those jobs were cut, Bonita Fire could then contract with the Estero Fire District to use its public information officer.
“It’s necessary to look at restructuring,” said commission Chairman Steve Lohan, noting FitzGerald’s plan could work in reverse because Bonita is the larger department and other departments turn to Bonita for plan reviews and training.
But Bonita Springs fire Chief Phil Kinsey disagreed with FitzGerald’s plan and said he advocated early retirement.
Kinsey said 34 department employees are eligible for early retirement and 29 expressed interest in the plan. Eleven would be needed for the plan to work, Kinsey said.
“If we can get rid of 11 people through early retirement, that might be the most bang for the buck and get us where we want to be,” Lohan said. “That way we don’t have to go around firing people.”
FitzGerald insisted no one wants to reduce service levels, but noted Kinsey’s suggestion plus his recommendation of seven additional employees would put the department in better financial shape.
“I think we need to reduce some staffing,” said Kinsey, who is in his 24th year on the job. “But we can’t selectively target someone.”
Tony Gambino, the department’s finance director, told fire officials and about a dozen residents in attendance that reserves were at $6.4 million, down from $8.9 million in 2009-10.
He said retirement incentives were the best route because they would result in lower personnel costs, won’t affect morale, may create opportunity for advancement and new employees could be hired at a lower rate.
Since adoption of the 2008-09 budget, the department’s budget decreased 16 percent to $26.8 from $32.1 million, Gambino said.
Ron Pure, founder of the Taxpayer Action Group, said there is no shortfall because the department has more than $6 million in reserves. He said the department should position itself for a tax reduction.
The next budget hearing will be scheduled at the department’s July meeting.
