Council introduces corrections to police and fire budgets after state gateway/software error; chief explains pension increase

Council introduced Ordinance 10-26 (additional appropriation for the police department) and Ordinance 11-26 (additional appropriation for the fire department) as part of a public hearing. Multiple residents asked why the items were missing from the original budget and sought explanation for a roughly $5 million net adjustment that surfaced in public discussion.

Fire Chief Dan Berford and other staff explained the ordinances primarily correct fund coding errors created when the state gateway/software dropped fund lines (fund 105 for fire and fund 106 for police) during the submission process; staff characterized the filings as housekeeping corrections to match what was approved during last year’s budget hearings. City staff and the clerk said the software vendor has released a new version and the city was coordinating with state representatives to address gateway issues.

Chief Berford also said a state-mandated pension contribution for city employees (PF/PEF) rose from 20.3% to 23.3%, which required an additional appropriation of about $154,000 for the fire fund. Staff clarified fund 105 and 106 are local income tax (LIT) public-safety funds that by law are restricted for police and fire use.

Council introduced and subsequently advanced the ordinances on roll call after receiving the explanation and hearing public comment. Council members asked for more documentation and the deputy chief indicated staff (Deputy Chief Degan) would be present for the final hearing and available to answer additional questions.