FM20051213 attachment Fire DeptMemo
To: Mayor, Finance Committee
From: City Administrator
Date: November 15, 2005
Subject: Fire Department Service Agreements
Prior to the end of the year, it is my understanding, that the Council needs to enter into
new service agreements with our two fire Departments. I have reviewed the existing
language for the two current agreements and I have a few recommendations for changes
to the agreements for 2006. 1 make the below noted recommendations with the
knowledge that Muskego is very fortunate to have the Volunteer Fire Service for the
community that it does. Volunteerism of this kind is recognized, appreciated and valued
by the City of Muskego.
I make the recommendations from the perspective that the City has a responsibility to
ensure accountability to City taxpayers for how their money is being spent regardless of
the entities involved. It is because of this that I recommend that all service agreements
include the provisions related to accountability.
My recommendations for changes to the agreements for 2006 are as follows. Of course,
it is completely the Council's decision as to what the Council feels is needed and or
appropriate.
1. I recommend that the amount to be paid to each Department tie back to the 2006
budget as shown to the, Council during budget work this fall., The 2006 budget,,,,,,,,,.',,,,,,,
could be an attachment to the service agreement and the link be stated in the
agreement
2. I recommend that within say 90 days of the end of the calendar year, the Fire
Department be required to provide the City Clerk's office a Fire Department
approved report detailing the actual versus budgeted expenditures for the previous
year.
3. 1 recommend that a clause be added to the agreements that each Department
agrees to make all records of the Department (including financial and training)
available for inspection upon the request of the Muskego Common Council.
4. I recommend that a clause be inserted in the agreements that provides -that no
capital asset of the Department including vehicles where joint ownership with the
City exists or where the City partially or totally funded the original purchase of a
capital asset be sold without first providing a 90 day written notice to the City
Clerk's Office describing the asset to be sold and the reason it is being sold.
5. I recommend that the required insurance certificate be provided to the City
Clerk's office prior to the first payment of the year being made under the
agreement.