LACK OF FUNDING FOR NAMPA STORMWATER PROJECT WILL AFFECT

PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGETS

When the Nampa City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday morning to repeal an ordinance set up to collect fees for the Nampa stormwater project, they may have created a budget crisis for public safety in Nampa.  The vote, resulting in elimination of the ordinance and the funding mechanism used to pay for the project required by the EPA, has shifted a $2 million financial burden to the city’s general fund.  Nampa’s police and fire department budgets, which constitute over 80% of the general fund, will now be competing with stormwater project expenses for funding.

Without an alternative funding source for the stormwater project it could mean a 5% cut to the already bare-bones budgets. The fire and police chiefs would be forced to cut personnel, costing the citizens of Nampa 7 firefighters and 9 police officers. This type of personnel cut would cause the closure of at least one fire station depending on the daily staffing. The closing of a fire station will negatively effect the public with increased risk to life and property. The loss of 9 police officers would necessitate the reorganization of how the Nampa Police Department does business and force the Nampa Police Department to choose between; eliminating the gang/drug interdiction unit, eliminating one full patrol shift, cancelling property crime investigations or eliminating the equivalent of the entire school resource officer program.

The Nampa public safety entities are no strangers to budget cuts.  During fiscal year 2009/2010, fiscal year 2010/2011 and fiscal year 2011/2012, Nampa Fire Fighters L-804 and Nampa Police Protective Association negotiated contract concessions consisting of foregoing a 5.5% pay raise for firefighters and a 3% pay raise for police plus over $100,000 in uniform allowance. Both police and fire have already reduced personnel through unfilled or eliminated positions in the past three years. In addition, Police and Fire insurance changes have consisted of two consecutive years of increased insurance co-premiums and doubling of deductibles and out of pocket maximums for individuals and families. These concessions with the City of Nampa have all taken place to avoid lay offs of fire fighters and police officers.

Brothers and Sisters,

I am very excited to send out this announcement for the PFFI Roy Parker Scholarship.

Roy Parker Annual Scholarship

One (1) five-hundred dollar ($500) scholarship shall be awarded to one (1) selected applicant per year, to a child or legally adopted child of an active PFFI member that has been accepted to a university, accredited college, or other institution of higher learning.

Attached you will find the application for the scholarship and the topic chosen for the essay is “What is does the “American Dream” mean to you?  Please make sure that you have your application and essay in by February 15th to the address listed on the application form.  If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Scholarship Committee Chair Ben Hirschi at bfdhirschi@yahoo.com or by phone at 208-681-5209.  

Good luck to all!

Fraternally,

Ron

Members: Please email your off-duty email address to fireshaun@nampafirefighters.com to receive meeting minutes and all Union communications.  Thanks very much!