A sharp debate over fire department overtime and long-term staffing strategy emerged last week as Canandaigua City Council weighed its final changes to the 2026 budget.
The city entered the final weeks of 2025 with almost no overtime funds remaining — about $1,800 — forcing staff to shift money internally to keep shifts covered. City Manager John Goodwin told council that personal leave is currently restricted and any sick time requires documentation to prevent undermanned shifts. If funds run out, he said, the department may be temporarily forced to operate with three firefighters instead of four.
Council previously cut next year’s proposed fire overtime line from $200,000 to $160,000. The unresolved question Monday was what to do with the $40,000 difference. Members chose to move the money into the city’s contingency fund rather than reduce taxes, bringing the total contingency available next year to roughly $140,000.
The move followed a broader argument about whether Canandaigua needs more full-time firefighters or a different staffing model altogether. Outgoing Mayor Bob Palumbo pressed for additional positions, citing continued overtime costs — projected again to hit about $300,000 this year — and strain on personnel. Other councilors countered that the city has followed the guidance of two separate staffing studies, which recommended reaching 18 firefighters in earlier years and later an intermediate target of 20. The department is expected to have 19 healthy firefighters entering 2026 and could soon reach 20 if an injured member returns.
Several members emphasized the need for “real-time” overtime reporting so council isn’t asked to authorize large retroactive transfers. Others called for a serious evaluation of alternative staffing models once a pending fire services study is finalized.
Staff maintained that overtime should drop significantly next year if the department maintains at least 19 active firefighters, though they cautioned that staffing remains highly dynamic.
The budget, including the new contingency allocation, advances to a final vote next month.
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