Crime & Safety
Financial Troubles Continue to Beset Moraga Orinda Fire District
Increased salaries, retirement costs and unfunded pensions are creating pressure on the budget.
The news will be fairly grim when interim Moraga Orinda Fire District Chief Stephen Healy meets with the district board to approve the final budget for 2013-14.
According to the Contra Costa Times, the district will need to spend reserves for the third year in a row to prevent service cuts. Though there has been some positive news, like a $326,000 increase in property tax revenue and a $443,000 federal grant, there is still a projected $1 million deficit in the MOFD budget.
Four new firefighters will be hired using the grant money, which will reduce the need for overtime costs. Overtime was high last year due to the injuries of three firefighters responding to an accident on Highway 24 in December.
Unfunded pension debt, higher salaries and retirement costs are also creating pressure on the budget. To balance the budget without spending down reserves would require cutting services, Healy said.
The MOFD board meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive.
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