To finish the Fire Services Training Centre, Cranbrook's fire department is willing to forego some equipment on a new water truck, at least until the budget can be balanced out.
Fire and Emergency Services recommended that council approve the adjustment of the department's training budget from $375,000 to $415,700 at the April 28 council meeting.
The adjustment was needed as city staff noted it found that, after final approval of the 2013-2018 Five Year Capital Budget, materials and labour for a section of the building was not incorporated into the final budget.
The project is a joint venture between a local contractor and the City's Public Works staff. Staff noted that a misunderstanding between the two parties on the material and labour for the first floor level lead to a budget shortfall of $20,500 and additional engineering fees of $10,210. On top of that, the City's fire services have added an additional $10,000 contingency for the project.
"The water truck can be stripped down in order to facilitate the savings," explained Charlotte Osborne, director of finance and computer services for the City. "And then the truck could be built back up should the costs not be required for the training centre."
The budget for the fully outfitted water truck was $400,000, she said. The truck would eventually have to be outfitted again.
Coun. Diana J. Scott said it was a really creative solution by the fire department.
"I think this training centre, we all agree, is a pretty important project," Scott said, adding that they should follow through with it.