Fire chief gives update on dept.
By Melinda L. Lucas
At Monday’s regular monthly council meeting, city manager Billy Holson went over budget items that needed to be amended before the end of the budget year on March 31, 2022, stating that a big part of the increases on both the expense and revenue sides are due to donations in different areas, including the golf course, parks, the Aztec Theater, and the fire department.
Albany fire chief Travis Gardenhire was present at the Jan. 10 session to give details about progress in the department, reporting that eight new individual thermal imaging cameras had been received, purchased with foundation funding. Volunteers had already been trained, and Gardenhire expects the cameras will be very helpful in different kinds of fires to detect hot spots.
He also said that a new airpac had been provided through the Texas Forest Service, and masks, which had been hard to find, had finally been located, ordered, and received.
The chief commented that both the city and rural fire departments are “very shorthanded,” and are working together to provide coverage whenever needed. A recent structure fire had drawn attention to a need for more training on “pump operations,” which AVFD officers have decided to extend to law enforcement and first responders in addition to city and rural volunteers.
“We’re co-existing well with the rural and Moran departments,” said Gardenhire. “They’re helping us; we’re helping them. It’s good for everyone.”
Budget Amendments
In his budget update, Holson noted that salaries were down in some departments because the city has still been unable to hire and keep personnel in the field.
“We’re so shorthanded, and our hands don’t make a lot,” said Holson. “We need to look at ways to fix that.”
Overall, the city should end its fiscal year well in the black, Holson said, with plans to continue capital improvements next year.
Albany mayor Susan Montgomery and other council members complimented Holson on his handling of the city’s finances.
The budget amendments were approved.
