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Parkersburg City Council reviews police, fire budgets

Photo by Evan Bevins From left, Parkersburg City Councilmen John Reed and Eric Barber converse with Public Works Director Everett Shears and Mayor Tom Joyce during a recess at Thursday’s municipal budget hearings in council chambers.

PARKERSBURG — Council members peppered the mayor, finance director and police and fire chiefs with questions about the two largest departments in the city during Thursday’s municipal budget hearing.

The Police Department is budgeted for $7.5 million, more than a quarter of the $28.7 million general fund, while the Fire Department accounts for more than $6.7 million of the overall $32.3 million spending plan.

The Police Department would begin the lease-purchase of six new cruisers under the proposed budget, at a total cost of $228,000 over five years.

Chief Joe Martin said he would like to see at least eight cruisers purchased each year, but given a projected decline in business and occupation tax revenue and other factors agreed with Mayor Tom Joyce on six.

“I think we can manage on this proposed budget,” the chief said.

Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin speaks during Thursday’s budget hearing in council chambers.

Martin said there have been years when no new cruisers were purchased and years where more than eight vehicles were bought. The oldest marked cars in the police fleet are 2007 models.

“We typically get between 10 and 12 years” out of a vehicle if it’s properly maintained, Martin said.

Councilman John Reed asked if the regularly used cruisers shouldn’t be replaced more often, citing their potential to be involved in high-speed pursuits.

“I really do question whether they’re really safe at 10 or 12 years,” he said, adding he would accept Martin’s opinion that they were.

“The garage does a pretty decent job keeping them safe,” the chief said.

Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg Fire Chief Jason Matthews answers a question during Thursday’s budget hearing in council chambers.

Reed said he’d rather see them replaced every six to eight years.

“If we could afford that, I would support that,” Martin said.

Councilman Eric Barber questioned whether the Dodge Chargers, which became the standard police vehicle in 2009, could be counted on to be as durable as their predecessors, the Ford Crown Victorias.

Martin said the city typically buys police cars on the state contract, which goes to a single dealership. While the city could make specifications beyond that, Joyce said it would be more expensive.

“I promise you, you always save money going through the state contract,” he said.

Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg City Councilman Eric Barber, left, asks a question during Thursday’s budget hearing in council chambers.

Martin acknowledged there were some maintenance issues with the earliest Charger law enforcement models.

“The newer ones are significantly better than the older ones,” he said.

When the Fire Department was up, Barber asked Chief Jason Matthews whether there was enough budgeted to maintain the protective gear used by firefighters.

Matthews said the equipment was bought in 2010 and has a 10-year lifespan. When repairs are needed, which costs about $100 per item, the manufacturer provides loaner equipment until the original is fixed, he said.

“I feel that we have enough to cover our repairs,” Matthews said.

Although those were the only departments scheduled, council, acting as the Committee of the Whole, agreed to continue and review the floodwall and minor cost centers, funds with only one or two line items each.

At the start of the session, Finance Director Eric Jiles answered a question from the previous hearing about whether pest control was covered in the lease the city signed for the Point Park Marketplace. He said it was considered building maintenance.

Council President J.R. Carpenter, who questioned the $600 annual expense Tuesday, disagreed.

“That is not part of building maintenance,” he said.

Joyce said the city needs to make sure the 113 Ann St. structure is not damaged by pests like termites.

“I would just respectfully disagree that that is exactly building maintenance,” he said. “We are protecting our investment.”

Councilman Bob Mercer, a Wood County 911 dispatcher, was not in attendance again due to work obligations. He sent a message with Carpenter apologizing for his absence.

***

City of Parkersburg Municipal budget hearing schedule

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

* Public hearing on budget during regular City Council meeting

6 p.m. Thursday, March 16

* Streets

* Street lighting

* Central garage

* Street cleaning

* Sanitation

* Storm water management

* Parks and recreation fund

* Memorial Bridge fund

* Public hearing on capital improvement plan

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21

* Civil service

* Mayor

* Council

* Finance

* City clerk

* Municipal judge

* City attorney

* Engineering

* Development

* Personnel

* Coal severance fund

* User fee revenue fund

***

To Review the Budget

* The proposed fiscal year 2017-18 budget can be examined in the Finance Department on the first floor of the Municipal Building between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at parkersburgcity.com.

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