BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- Hoping to maximize grant revenues to help shore up funding for the fire department, Ogdensburg City Council agreed to hire Julie Burline of MJ Burben Inc. at a cost of $10,000.

Burline came highly recommended to the city due to her past success with other municipalities in securing grants aimed at funding emergency services.

The city had considered hiring her last year, but council voted against doing so.

However, on Monday Jan. 22, approved the resolution unanimously.

Fire Chief Ken Stull told council that despite the decision not to hire her last year, she still provided guidance to the department which was most appreciated.

Deputy Mayor Dan Skamperle, who voted in favor of the measure last year as well, spoke on the matter.

"It seems this lady has an excellent track record. I wanted to approve this before and the last council didn't," he said. "I supported it then and I'll support it now as well."

Burline will assist the city in seeking a FEMA assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response funding (SAFER), and applicable New York State Consolidated Funding Awards (CFA) and State and Municipal grants.

Information provided by MJ Burben Inc., highlights Burline's past successes.

"With over 25 years of experience, Julie has successfully secured funds for a diverse range of clients, including First Responders, hospital systems, municipal infrastructure projects, school districts, and corporate entities. MJ Burben has participated in over 60 Fire Station Construction and development projects and 25 Law Enforcement Infrastructure Projects," statement says.

City Councilor Storm Cilley asked if Burline would also be assisting with grants to bolster the police force. 

Stull said that this resolution was specifically for help with the fire department.

Any extra funding secured by the city will be welcomed as the city is running on a lean budget. In recent years the city made deep cuts to the police and fire departments after a change in the sales tax distribution formula used by the county caused a roughly $2 million drop in revenues.

In the wake of the blow, the city took drastic measures including legal battles with the county and fire department. However, adding insult to injury the city also dealt with substantial increases in previously approved construction  projects along the city's waterfront.

Furthermore the previous council worked to reduce the tax Burben during that time which led to even deeper cuts.

Since taking office the new council has already been working to restore positions cut in recent years, but will need to offset the costs with new revenues or support from grants.

Council is hopeful Burline will be able to help in the efforts.

Mayor Michael Tooley said that based on past successes and the list of Burline’s previous clients he believed the city would get “good value” out of the contract.