Agenda Item Name:
Title
Transfer from MSBU-Fire Reserves to cover the estimated Personal Services over budget due to additional overtime, staffing issues, and retirement payouts
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Presenter:
Harold Theus, Chief 352-384-3101
Description:
Transfer of $433,000.00 from MSBU-Fire Reserves to cover estimated personal services over budget due to additional overtime and staffing issues.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the budget amendment
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Prior Board Motions:
N/A
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The Staff recommends transferring $433,000.00 from MSBU-Fire Reserves to cover personal services overtime and fringe benefits ($100,000.00 011.54.5480.522.14.00; $333,000.00 011.54.5480.522.22.00). This transfer would reduce the MSBU-Reserves balance from $3,291,825.00 to $2,858,825.00. This balance exceeds the amount required in the financial policies and will not require reimbursement
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Background:
The FY21 Budget includes $12,673,561 in the MSBU-Fire division. The estimated actual expenditures are $13,106,561.00 a difference of $433,000.00. Staff recommends a transfer of $433,000.00 from the MSBU-Fire Fund Reserve for Contingency. This will reduce the balance from $3,291,825.00 to $2,858,825.00. There is adequate reserve for contingency funds to cover this and still meet the reserve requirements as recommended in the financial policies.
There are several complex staffing issues that have contributed to this shortfall. When the Assistance to Firefighters grant ended in February 2021, the Fire Rescue Department adsorbed 12.0 firefighter positions into the MSBU-Fire fund. Their personal services expenditures were budgeted, however, overtime related to their leave use, vacancy rate, etc. was not included. The estimated overtime cost with benefits per position is approximately $10,200.00 at 12.0 positions is $122,400.00. In addition, over time hours in FY21 have increased over FY20 by an overall rate of 17%. This increase is due to an increase in leave use of 21%, vacancies, and our practice of hiring uncertified or partially certified employees. Lastly, there have been several long-term employee retirements that have resulted in large annual and sick leave balance payouts.
Fire Rescue staff has worked with Fiscal and Budget services staff and will ensure adequate funding for FY22 personal services within the department operating budget