20200518-002: Recommendation on AFD's Budget FY 20-21 — original pdf

Recommendation

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200518-002 May 18, 2020 Recommendation that Council Approve Austin Fire Department Budget Requests Date: Subject: Motioned by: Rebecca Webber Seconded by: Kathleen Hausenfluck Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin Fire Department budget should include: (1) overtime to cover Operations backfill, (2) adding a third Cadet class, and (3) funds for maintenance of the Records Management Software. Description of Recommendation to Council: The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public safety agency budgets and providing recommendations to the Austin City Council. The Austin Fire Department provided backup materials and a briefing in the March 2020 Public Safety Commission on budget requests. The Public Safety Commission found that the Records Management Software for Austin Fire Department requires maintenance at this time. The Public Safety Commission found that a third Cadet class is needed to attain necessary staffing levels. The Public Safety Commission found that the Austin Fire Department needs additional overtime budget allocations to address staffing challenges. Therefore, The Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin Fire Department includes the following items in the budget submitted to the Austin City Council: 1. $3.8 million for overtime to address Operations backfill. 2. $818,000 to add a third Cadet training class. 3. $225,000 for maintenance of the Austin Fire Department Records Management Software. 4. $1.6 million to add staffing for additional aerial apparatus. This recommendation was made and approved by City Council for the FY20 budget. This item needs to be added back to the FY21 budget. The Public Safety Commission also recommends that the Austin City Council funds these items in the budget. Rationale: The Public Safety Commission has reviewed the requests from the Austin Fire Department for additions to the budget for the three items outlined above in the March, May, and May Special Called meetings of the Public Safety Commission.  The additional staffing for the additional aerial apparatus was approved in the FY20 budget. Funding of this item was delayed multiple times and is no longer included in the budget. The Public Safety Commission is recommending that this funding is incorporated in the FY21 budget. This recommendation was made and approved by City Council for the FY20 budget. Vote: For: Meghan Hollis Rebecca Webber William (Bill) Kelly Rebecca Bernhardt Chris Harris Kathleen Hausenfluck Daniela Nunez Selena Alvarenga Against: Abstain: Absent: Rebecca Gonzales Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] __________________________________