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CUERO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SEEKS A BUDGET INCREASE
Written by Emily Collins
Thursday, 17 July 2008
CUERO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CHEIF, BUTCH TOLBERT, ASKED THE DEWITT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ON MONDAY TO CONSIDER GIVING THE FIRE DEPARMENT A INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGET. CHEIF TOLBERT PRESENTED INFORMATION TO THE COURT ASKING THEM FOR AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT REIMBURSED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR EACH RESPONSE THEY MAKE TO A RURAL FIRE.
"A budget increase to help our fuel situation in the upcoming months and year," said Cheif Tolbert.
EACH TIME THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IS CALLED OUT TO A RURAL, HOUSE, OR STRUCTURE FIRE THE COUNTY CURRENTLY REIMBURSES THEM $100 DOLLARS. BUT WITH GAS PRICES CONTINUOUSLY RISING THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS AN ADJUSTMENT MADE TO THEIR REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNTS.
Now the department usually does about 85 to 90 calls per year, but because of the exceptionally dry weather this year, the number of runs has increased.
CHIEF TOLBERT GAVE THE COUNTY TWO PROPOSALS. ONE, THE COUNTY COULD INCREASE THE REIMBURSEMENT TO $150 DOLLARS PER RUN AND SUPPLY THE DEPARTMENTS TRUCKS WITH FUEL, OR TWO THEY COULD PAY THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT $200 DOLLARS FLAT.. FUEL COST INCLUDED. AND FILLING UP THE FIRE TRUCKS AREN'T CHEAP.
"On average it could be as little as $40 to $50 dollars up to $200 dollars a shot," says Tolbert.
THAT AVERAGE DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES SENT TO EACH LOCATION AND THE NUMBER OF TRIPS THEY HAVE TO MAKE TO AND FROM THE CITY LIMITS TO THE RURAL AREAS.
