By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS ó Reduce and reuse. That’s what Landis department heads vowed to do in the new budget year ó reduce costs and reuse what materials they already have.
The board and staff met Saturday for their annual budget retreat to discuss the 2008-2009 budget. Some departments, fire and police, did ask for new equipment or uniforms, but indicated they could keep costs lower than previous budgets and apply for grants.
New Police Chief Brian McCoy asked to take the department back to basics. McCoy said he met with his officers who want to change the color scheme of the department to black and white. The change would affect the cars and the uniforms. His proposal would cut the cost of vehicles by taking away all the frills with simple changes like replacing the large hubcaps for mini-caps and replacing carpets with mats.
There will be new guidelines on appearance that the chief hopes will exhibit professionalism and uniformity. The trooper-style hats will be replaced with a traditional black officer’s cap. The police cars, which now are white, red and blue, are expected to change to something one would see from the 1970s: black and white. The department also wants to replace the badges.
“The finish is coming off of the badges,” McCoy said.
He also wants to replace the style of badges.
He’d also like to add two officers. He said there are times when other departments have to step in to assist on Landis calls. Also when officers are on sick-leave or have a family emergency, they have to shift things around.
Two additional officers would cost about $59,000 in pay. The cost of uniforms and equipment would be $2,500. McCoy requested two vehicles, which would cost $64,000. The updates to uniforms would cost about $4,500.
McCoy told the board he could get the budget to come in at the same as last year’s or lower.
With all the requests, there were some things McCoy said they don’t need. For instance, they have surplus parts for cars, the radios are still in good working order and construction/repairs were not needed.
Alderman Tony Hilton asked McCoy his thoughts on the OSSI Record Management System, which surrounding agencies have discussed for nearly two years. McCoy said he talked with Rowan Sheriff George Wilhelm. There are some good things about the communications system and cons, he said.
It costs about $20,000 up front and has an annual maintenance fee of about $1,000. Many other law enforcement departments have not linked to the OSSI system. McCoy said he believes that if you don’t pay your maintenance fee, the system will deny officers access to the records.There was no promise of whether the police department would get its requested items, but the board did agree to work with it.
Landis Fire Division Chief Art Delaney told the board the department needed upgrades of its current fire protection capabilities, rescue capabilities, hazmat capabilities and current facilities.
His plan is to upgrade all the fire hydrants in town with a 5-inch connection. Delaney proposes to upgrade 25 hydrants per year.
Delaney also proposed to get a decontamination shower, a fire prevention robotic truck, replacement hoses and nozzles and more foam for the fire trucks.
He also discussed a better use of the Fire Hut.
“We can use this as something to generate revenue,” he said.
Delaney suggested it being used as a meeting place for Boy Scouts or other groups. The money garnered from the Hut would be used toward repairs.
Delaney said he is aggressively seeking grants with Federal Emergency Management Administration and the N.C. Office of State Fire Marshal. He also suggested the department establish a ladies auxiliary to help with fundraisers.