During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the inadequate resources available to the city's police and fire departments, as well as the street department. Larry DeCamillo, a local resident, expressed frustration over the lack of response to his inquiries about the city's budget and the ongoing reliance on outdated financial figures from previous years. He emphasized the urgent need for the city council to address current operational challenges rather than focusing on past budgets.

DeCamillo highlighted the critical situation facing emergency services, noting that the fire department has experienced a significant reduction in personnel—down 44%—and is now operating with a $300,000 budget cut. He warned that this reduction could severely impact emergency response capabilities, stating, \"Police and fire are a zero-sum game. There are no draws. We win or we lose for them.\"

Fire department officials echoed these concerns, particularly regarding two key budget items: vehicle maintenance and overtime costs. The fire chief pointed out that the maintenance budget had been slashed from $165,000 to $60,000, which he deemed insufficient for maintaining operational readiness. Additionally, the overtime budget, originally set at $235,000, has already exceeded $500,000 this fiscal year, raising alarms about the sustainability of service delivery.

The chief urged the council to reconsider the budget cuts, emphasizing that these financial decisions translate directly into the community's safety and service quality. He called for a restoration of funding for both overtime and vehicle maintenance to ensure that the fire department can continue to effectively serve the public.

As the meeting progressed, a motion was made to approve a budget amendment aimed at restoring these critical funds for the fire department. The discussions underscored the pressing need for the city to reassess its financial strategies to adequately support essential services and ensure the safety of its residents.