City council members approved the Fiscal 2020 budget in one of the most unusual meetings in recent memory.
The city limited access to the council chambers during the meeting due to concerns about the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. “This is going to be an unusual meeting tonight, but I’d like to start with the usual procedure,” Mayor Lazio said. “So let’s do the Pledge of Allegiance.”
The budget includes reductions in staff at the fire and police departments. The fire department has been vocal in its opposition, and that continued Tuesday.
Meetings in Iowa are currently limited to 10 people due to health concerns, so the city brought in people to address the council one at a time to address the budget. Firefighter Chris Kimm called the cuts “a huge step backwards for Ottumwa.”
“With the entire country shutting down, the firefighters and the fire department will continue to be on the front lines,” he said.