Lewes officials review first responders’ budgets
As the number of residents and visitors in Lewes increases, so too does the demand for emergency services. The rise in calls for EMS and firefighters has been well documented, and while crime hasn’t increased, maintaining the same level of protection for the added people requires adding personnel.
Police Chief Thomas Spell began the Feb. 17 mayor and city council budget meeting by explaining the increases to his budget come as a result of the recently signed collective bargaining agreement and need for vital equipment for officers. About $1.8 million has been requested for fiscal year 2024, making it the highest request from any department. Lewes’ fiscal year runs April 1 through March 31.
A majority of the police budget comes from the $1.1 million request to pay for 15 full-time officers. In addition to the CBA raise, the department is close to filling out its staff for the first time since Spell took over in 2016.
A substantial increase comes from the professional services and software support line item. The 126.7% increase is anchored by a $15,000 request for vehicle cameras.
Current ballistic vests are due to expire during FY 2024, with replacements contributing to a 20.5% increase in supplies and technical equipment.
The Lewes Fire Department is an independent combination fire department. Volunteers are supplemented by paid staff to fill out the force, and the department is responsible for paying the salaries of employed staff. Sussex County funds 50% of the department’s budget, but it relies on fundraising and donations to supply the other half.
In its presentation to council, the department requested $600,000 from the city.
The City of Lewes has donated $75,000 to the department the last few years. Mayor Andrew Williams wondered if they should increase that number to $90,000 after hearing lifetime member Gordon Davis explain the upcoming financial needs. A ladder truck is going to cost at least $1.4 million, but the department was unable to set money aside in its shrinking capital budget this year. A total of $620,000 is already going toward the purchase of two ambulances, Davis said.
One of the larger items for the fire department’s budget is staff salaries. The department has 25 full-time career members and 12 part-time staffers. Salaries is a figure that has increased every year and will continue to rise as the number of calls goes up. Four full-time positions were added this year.
“[By 2024] we believe we’ll probably be at the 8,000-incident mark,” Davis said.
The department has budgeted $100,000 for renovations, but the work will have a total price tag of $1 million. The city has pledged American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the renovations – the funds need to be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Davis said he believes the department will meet the deadlines.
Lewes mayor and city council donated $75,000 to the department from its FY 2023 during the Feb. 13 meeting. The donation comes at the beginning of the department’s fiscal year and at the end of city’s.
