VIDEO: Minotโs first responders are facing some tough budget decisions for the coming year. The police and fire departments are weighing proposals that could lead to cuts of either critical staff positions or needed equipment. One of two positions on the line with the Minot Police Department is a lieutenant. Eliminating it could save the department $140,000, but other positions would have to be restructured, like the focus enforcement sergeant.
The department told the council that a sergeant is a vital position in saving lives from drug overdoses in the city. โTheyโre already overstressed, and their plates are already full. I am seeing firsthand, and weโre making plans on how to supplement that for them,โ said Minot Police Chief Michael Frye. The lieutenant position also oversees the K9 and bomb units, as well as supervises records, training and community outreach, among other duties.
The other role that could be removed is the executive office administrator. โThe flat budget required us to hit a budget line that we couldnโt hit without staff reduction,โ said Captain Dale Plessas. Even though the fire department can soon hire more firefighters, they are also facing tough cuts.
Gear, uniforms, training reimbursement and even mental health resources for firefighters are reduced. โThatโs going to eliminate our Cordico app that we just implemented, but weโre going to find a grant for it. That is the number one thing weโre going to be looking for it,โ said Minot Fire Department Chief Kelli Kronschnabel.
Six of the firefighters they can hire would be paid through city savings, while the other three would come at the cost of reducing internal spending to fund them.
