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West Kelowna Fire Department Seeks $1.5M Budget Hike Amid Inflationary Pressures
By [Journalist’s Name], [Journalist’s Affiliation]
[City], [Date] — The West Kelowna Fire Department is grappling with inflationary pressures that have prompted a request for a $1.53 million budget increase to cover escalating equipment and renovation costs, according to a presentation made to city council on Aug. 27.
Fire Chief Jason Brolund detailed the financial strain caused by 30-year high inflation rates, which have significantly impacted the costs of several capital projects. Among the items driving the budget increase is a new aerial fire engine intended for Lakeview Heights. Initially budgeted at $1.9 million in 2023, the cost has now soared to $2.8 million.
“The fire hall is surrounded by multiple six-storey buildings, and having an aerial apparatus in that neighborhood is crucial for rapid response and resident safety,” Brolund explained to council members. The engine has yet to be ordered, reflecting the department’s cautious approach in the face of fluctuating costs.
Another victim of inflation is a fire engine tender, which saw its price tag climb from the approved $800,000 in 2023 to the current $1.1 million. This tender is the first of two requested by the department; the second is projected to cost $1.5 million and is expected to be needed by 2027. These tenders are indispensable in combating wildfires that frequently threaten the region.
Renovations to Fire Hall #33 on Westlake Road, initially estimated at $500,000, have also been affected, with the revised cost now standing at $800,000. Additionally, the replacement of pavement at Fire Hall 31 on Old Okanagan Highway, which was approved in 2022 with a budget of $70,000, will now cost $100,000.
The delays and cost overruns, according to Brolund, stem from a combination of supply chain issues and the decision to link certain projects with larger construction endeavors, which themselves faced cost overruns.
City council is now tasked with reviewing the department’s request and considering the implications of these increased costs on the city’s budget and the essential services provided by the West Kelowna Fire Department.
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