PROVIDENCE – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza is reorganizing the Fire Department in an effort to save money and deal with the city’s financial challenges.
Elorza announced the plan last month after he unveiled a report the city commissioned by PFM Group that showed continued structural deficits if the city continues on its current course.
Elorza and Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Pare are immediately reorganizing the department from four platoons to three, with a condensed shift schedule. The change is expected to save as much as $5 million annually beginning in fiscal 2017 without compromising safety, a news release from Elorza’s office said.
The report, which looked at fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2021, includes a baseline forecast and financial projections for the city. In fiscal 2021, the projected deficit is $19.1 million, while the cumulative deficit is projected at $85.4 million.
Elorza, in a release, said his proposed budget for fiscal 2016 begins to address the city’s underlying structural deficit with $2 million in annual revenue from expanded parking meters and fees, as well as a $6.5 million deficit reduction through growth in the property values. •
