Oklahoma City Council Looks at Fire, Parks Budget Options

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Council is considering budget options for the fire and parks departments.

Fire Chief Keith Bryant presented the department's budget to city council members. The budget is about 3.5 percent less than last year. The fire chief presented two options. Option one does not include a reduction in services, which is contingent on negotiation concessions. He proposed moving funding for 35 positions from the general fund to the MAPS3 use tax, add 10 firefighter positions, restore one mechanic position and restore some line items.

The second option would mean a reduction in services. It will eliminate 29 general fund positions and requires placing engine 51 and three brush pumpers out of service.

Fire station number15 near Northwest 122nd and May Avenue is one that could lose a brush pumper.

The brush pumpers are used at apartment fires, respond to medical emergencies, car accidents and primarily grass fires. That's why the fire chief chose to eliminate brush pumps from urban areas rather than the rural areas. But loosing equipment at any station is never ideal.

"It would lessen our ability to put a lot of resources on a large ground covered fire, and when we have a fire of that nature we literally get those vehicles from all over the city," Bryant said.

If they do lose the brush pumpers, the department will have to rely more on mutual aid.

"We might have to make sure we call them quicker and ask for more help," Bryant said

Wendel Whisenhuntm, Parks and Recreation director, also presented his budget options to city council Tuesday. The first option would impact pools in the metro, but only result in the closure of one pool. It would also reduce three staff positions, close the Crystal Bridge gift shop, reduce programming at Martin Nature Park, and reduce mowing in medians.

The second option also does the same but also includes reducing the hours at city operated gyms, programming at the Foster Rec Center, close the restaurant at the James Stewart Golf Course and close the fish hatchery.

The city council has until mid-June to decide which option to go with and finalize the budget.