Mohan: Fire budgets will not be cut in 2007
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Lack of communication, something the Amherst Town Board has been told to improve, was the cause of another budget outrage.

A review of the 2006 budget by a committee formed through the Amherst Chamber of Commerce concluded there was a lack of communication in the budget process from beginning to end. The committee informed the board of this the end of August and with the 2007 budget due next month, Supervisor Satish Mohan appears to be stuck in old habits.

When special district budgets were due Sept. 15 some fire districts failed to submit a sufficient budget, or not at all, Mohan said during Monday's work session. When unsatisfied with the money asked for, Mohan had 10 percent of the funding cut. Because of the lack of notice firefighters, especially from Getzille and East Amherst departments spoke out.

What appeared was going to be a heated argument during the work session was settled when Mohan told fire district representatives that he would meet this coming week with district presidents about the budget.

"We will meet, you will be called," he said to the representatives. "(Fire districts) will be fully funded, no problem."

What caused the stir between the supervisor and fire districts was that Mohan failed to call a meeting in the spring to discuss possible cuts and explain what information he wanted from the fire districts.

Uninformed of this new way of submitting their budgets, some fire districts did not include the numbers Mohan said he wanted to see. Many representatives and even some Town Board Members, including Dan Ward, questioned the supervisor's request on viewing the expenditures.

"I am not doubting them. I just need to satisfy our books," Mohan said, adding there was a misunderstanding.

In an effort to cut taxes and tighten spending, Mohan has said he is looking at all departments and services on how to save money. With that effort he is asking that fire districts submit detailed spending plans.

"Fire districts have very important jobs, no one can deny that," Mohan said, adding, however, that he has a responsibility for the fiscal status of the town.

Mohan said funding from fire districts will not be cut, but some districts asked for 30 percent more funding that he will need to look into. He will also be looking into districts that have more than 15 percent fund balance.

Jim Zymanek, emergency coordinator for the Town of Amherst and fire chief for Hutchinson Hose in Williamsville, said the problem was the districts were not notified of the budget process Mohan intended to follow.

With some of the districts operating under a different fiscal year, their budgets will be affected by any cuts or changes.

"Our question has been why didn't (Mohan) sit down and explain he was operating differently," Zymanek said.

Mohan said he will be meeting with the districts but the draft budget is due Oct. 2, the same day as the next scheduled board meeting.

e-mail: jfinch@beenews.com