Up to Dozen Firefighters Could be Axed in Auburn, NY
AUBURN — The Auburn Fire Department is facing the loss of up to 12 firefighters — one-sixth of its workforce — in the worst-case budget scenario presented on Thursday.
Auburn Fire Chief Mark Fritz, who outlined the budget alternatives, explained that an 11% reduction would amount to a $1.5 million cut from his department. Although that includes $75,000 in operating expenses, most of the savings would be achieved by eliminating the 12 positions.
The city's fire department has 72 uniformed employees, including Fritz, and an administrative assistant.
The potential loss of 12 firefighters would have a significant impact on the department's operations. Fritz said minimum shift staffing would be reduced by four firefighters and an engine company would be removed from service.
Fritz also warned that the steep cuts would jeopardize the department's class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office, which assesses fire protection services. Auburn is one of 10 departments in New York with a class 1 rating — the highest score given by ISO.
If the city adopts a budget that slashes the fire department's workforce, Fritz believes the ISO score could drop to a class 3. That could increase fire insurance rates in the city by 10 to 15%.
"Reduction to this level will be an immediate and significant impact on the department's ability to provide service," Fritz said.
With the city facing a nearly $5 million budget deficit, Auburn City Manager Jenny Haines asked department heads to prepare for three budget scenarios. One option would be to fund department budgets as requested by increasing the property tax levy by 28%. That's an unlikely route for the city because of how it would impact property owners.
The other alternatives involve job cuts. The 11% across-the-board cut would allow the city to stay under the 4.72% property tax cap imposed by the state. A separate proposal would require an 8% cut from department budgets, while increasing the property tax levy by 11.72%.
Under the 8% cut option, Fritz told the Auburn City Council that his department's budget would be cut by $1.1 million and nine firefighters would lose their jobs. Minimum shift staffing would reduced by three firefighters and an engine company would be eliminated.
"It's not much better," Fritz said.
When Fritz concluded his presentation, he acknowledged that city officials have to make a difficult decision. But he advised them that if the cuts are adopted, the "fire protection you are accustomed to cannot be maintained at those levels."
"I'm not being dramatic. I'm not trying to tell you the sky is falling," he added. "I'm telling you it's simple math."
The budget presentations will continue next week with a lineup that includes the Auburn Police Department. Auburn Police Local 195, which represents the department's officers, is already speaking out against proposed cuts and urging supporters to sign a petition.
The City Council is aiming to finalize the 2026-27 budget by early June. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.
Auburn City Ambulance's budget
Kezia Sullivan, director of operations for Auburn City Ambulance, presented her agency's budget at the City Council meeting on Thursday.
Following the same guidelines as other department heads, Sullivan submitted a $4 million budget. Her presentation did not mention any staffing cuts, but she projects that the agency will collect over $4 million in revenue — enough to cover expenses in 2026-27.
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