Columbia fire company not asking for more money, but warns of lost skill-game income and big bills ahead

UPDATE, Nov. 9: The Columbia Borough Fire Department has been fully reimbursed for the $21,135.38 lost in the check fraud. Read the follow-up story.

COLUMBIA, Pa. — The Columbia Borough Fire Department isn’t asking the borough for more money next year, its president told Borough Council on Thursday. But some council members said they may need to give more anyway.

“I’m not asking for any more money this year,” said fire department President Jared Barninger, presenting the volunteer company’s finances at council’s budget workshop. He asked only that the borough keep its current support.

“First person to come up here and turn down more money,” a council member joked.

The pressures

Barninger said the company has had a good fundraising year, especially from food sales at the fire hall on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and from bingo. But costs are rising, and big expenses are coming:

• Skill games: The end of skill-game machines in Pennsylvania cost the company about $10,000 a month in profit. A council member said that adds up to about $54,000 this year alone.
• Repairs: By the third quarter, the company had spent $25,000 more than planned on truck maintenance and was at 94% of its operations budget. This year it replaced a motor in a utility vehicle for about $22,000.
• Radios: County changes mean all portable and mobile radios must be replaced by 2028.
• Hose: Replacing outdated supply hose will cost about $50,000, spread over several years.
• Gear: Firefighter turnout gear costs more than $5,000 a set and must be replaced every 10 years. The company has about 50 sets.

The company is applying for a state Local Share Account grant of up to $1 million toward a new ladder truck, and expects to qualify for a state loan of up to $750,000.

Council weighs more support

Several council members said the borough may need to do more. “We keep asking more of them but we’re not asking more of ourselves,” one said.

A council member suggested a conversation next year, earlier in the budget process, about a dedicated fire and EMS tax. Another member, who said he has opposed new taxes, said residents might accept one if the borough clearly showed where every mill goes.

A council member also asked to see the fire company’s reserve fund numbers before deciding.

Check fraud

Barninger also addressed the department’s announcement this week that it lost or nearly lost more than $21,000 to check fraud. He said the treasurer caught it, the bank is investigating, and he filed a police report.

“There’s nothing that implicates anybody at the department of any wrongdoing,” Barninger said. He said the company has added safeguards and hopes the money will be returned.