BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG - Ogdensburg City Council will meet tonight at 6 p.m. with a first quarter financial review by City Comptroller Angela Gray expected.

Gray’s report shows that unexpected costs for the Ogdensburg Fire Department are still a concern with a projected $280,000 budget shortfall expected at a minimum.

According to her report the monthly cost of a firefighter being absent is approximately $9,100.

She said the department is dealing with reduced staffing related to on and off-duty injuries. This comes after the city added firefighters in an attempt to offset contract related expenses at the department that requires the city to pay extra when a minimum of five firefighters are not on a shift.

Gray notes that the city increased the department to 24 firefighters early this year with four shifts and six firefighters assigned to a shift, but pointed out that 2 firefighters can take vacation simultaneously, which makes meeting the minimum difficult at times.

Gray’s report also points out that while the city has budgeted for two known retirements in 2024, two additional firefighters are eligible retirement and the city has not budgeted for the payout of accrued overtime or the required overtime to back fill the positions if either or both firefighters decide to retire.

At the meeting the council will also consider two appointments, including  Kim Bell to the Board of Assessment and Review, and Steve Perretta to the Tree Commission. 

Under old business, the council will discuss brush pickup, and under new business, plans for a Community Meeting on May 6, 2024, will be outlined.