The Western Carteret Interlocal Cooperation Agency Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday night to set a public hearing for Wednesday, March 17 on Western Carteret Fire and EMS Department Chief Kevin Hunter’s preliminary fiscal 2021-22 budget.
The board, which oversees the department, set the hearing on the $3.463 million operating and capital improvements budget during a special session in the meeting room of the fire department off Sherwood Avenue.
The total is a 31% increase over the current fiscal 2020-21 budget, but the vast majority of the jump is for a salary increase for employees, one new staff position and capital outlay to pay most of the cost of a new $768,340 Spartan rescue/pumper firetruck.
In his presentation to the board, Chief Hunter said “there will be no tax increase” for the district, as growth and development in the past year is expected to increase and result in more money for the department.