The department actually has two budgets: one for the general fire and rescue operations that is funded with property tax money and one for the ambulance service that is paid for with fees.

The current fire budget is $2,706,265.

The proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 is $2,814,470.

“It is a large budget in the general fund,” said Jeff Nemmers, the city clerk and finance director. “It is very personnel heavy.”

The only money for a large purchase in the budget is $45,000 for a pickup truck to replace a 2008 Ford now in use. Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter said it is used to transport personnel, tow the department’s boats and tow a trailer filled with specialized rescue gear for building and trench collapses.

Nemmers said money for the pickup would come from hotel/motel tax revenue. A portion of the money from that tax has always been allocated for police and fire department equipment purchases.

The current ambulance budget is $1,195,960.

The proposed ambulance budget is $1,466,850.

The Fire Department has 47 members.