Canandaigua City Council has approved a $52,115 budget amendment to cover an overtime overage in the fire department’s 2024 budget, addressing concerns raised in a recent meeting, as we reported earlier this week.
The amendment, which reallocates funds from the Department of Public Works, was necessary due to a significant budget overrun attributed to firefighter injuries, unfilled positions, and unexpected retirements. City Manager John Goodwin acknowledged that the fire department’s overtime budget had exceeded its original allocation by 112%, prompting questions from council members about fiscal management.
Fire Chief Frank Magnera defended the department’s overtime spending, emphasizing that maintaining four firefighters on duty per shift was essential for public safety. He pointed to national standards that require four-person crews for effective emergency response and firefighter safety.
“There are departments that run three-person crews, but they also have multiple companies responding to incidents,” Magnera explained. “In Canandaigua, we don’t have that luxury.”
Several council members expressed frustration that the overtime overage had not been brought to their attention earlier, arguing that better foresight could have led to alternative solutions, such as hiring an additional full-time firefighter to offset the overtime costs.
Despite concerns, the amendment passed, ensuring the fire department remains fully funded. Moving forward, the council has requested regular budget updates to prevent similar shortfalls in the future.
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