By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Meeting as a Committee of the Whole Tuesday, the Burlington Common Council gave preliminary approval to move forward with a grant application for funds for new firefighting equipment.
Fire Chief Alan Babe outlined the proposal, which involves contracting with a company to submit a grant application for an Assistance for Firefighters Grant.
The city and town of Burlington Fire Departments are pursuing the grant together to replace the self-contained breathing apparatus used by both departments.
In his presentation to the council Tuesday night, Babe said the two departments have a combined 58 SCBA units, none of which meet the current operation standard and all of which are 10 years old or older.
Babe said the AFG has worked with FEMA to establish priorities regarding SCBA, including eliminating the older gear and providing each firefighter with their own facemask.
Babe also said the program could reach its sunset point by next year, and said the time is now to apply for the grant.
“I think this is our best opportunity,” Babe said.
Council members agreed, with Alderman Tom Vos saying, “Clearly, we owe it to our volunteers.”
The total cost of the application, to be split between the town and city, is $19,450.
Other news
- The council discussed the five-year financial plan being proposed by financial consultant Ehlers and Associates.
The plan was discussed at length about a month ago, with details including a rate increase of about 12 to 13 percent in water rates and then alternating yearly increases of 3 percent for water and sewer service.
As for the financial outlook, if the city assumes about $800,000 a year in new capital project debt, the tax rate for the city will remain roughly the same for the next five years, averaging between $1,800 and about $1,950 for the city portion of the tax bill for a home valued at $200,000 due to the city’s tax incremental finance districts closing in the next few years.
- The City Council approved election inspectors Joshua Dow, Lori Clark and Jake Hanson.
- The council also approved reimbursing expenditures related to the well No. 11 radium removal, and to recreate the portion of the city code to change language to match other municipalities in relation to the Central Racine County Health Department.
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