Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan today said he has worked with his financial team to make changes to the city’s FY 2021 budget to allay concerns by city council members who sent to budget back to the mayor seeking funding to fill vacant positions in the police and fire departments.
During an interview with FRCMedia today the mayor said a compromise has been reached by which the city will find money to bolster the ranks of patrolmen and firefighters.
Among other sources, the mayor says money for the vacant positions will come from the school transportation budget. Money in that line item will be covered by CARES Act funds currently held in escrow by the school department.
The Mayor would not detail how many vacancies will be filled, other to say that police staffing will be near 100% and fire vacancies will meet the needs of the department. No other city positions will be cut to help offset these moves.
In looking at the budget going forward through 2021, the mayor said his administration will still look for ways to add revenue. At this point that does not include a broad-based re-implementation of a citywide trash fee.
With funding for city expenses currently covered through this Monday, the city council will likely act on the amended budget Monday night.
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