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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 14, 2014 Page 27 As a request for information, Mayor Roe asked that staff provide a comparison of General Fund Reserve levels at December 3 1st with respect to that year's budget to determine how the City stood with its goal of a 35%to 40%reserve policy. At the request of Councilmember Willmus as to how many years to compare, Mayor Roe asked for five years worth of comparisons, starting from 2013 and go- ing backwards. Regarding the transition of firefighters, Councilmember Laliberte reviewed her understanding for the transition and loss of no full-time firefighters, but ques- tioned how those full-time positions would be filled, whether internally or exter- nally, and whether the current level of part-time firefighters would be retained. Mr. Trudgeon responded that staff was still working through that process, but for this initial step, the intent was to post and recruit internally, and further clarified that he did not see external filling as part of that initial process given the amount of interest expressed internally. Mr. Trudgeon opined that the choice of the first six would be tough enough; but as the department expanded or as people retired, there may be a future potential for external posting and recruitment, suggesting a future need for an eligibility list similar to that used by the Police Department for police recruits as needs open up. Councilmember Laliberte asked for more specific information as to current part- time firefighters and a timeline of when retirements or movements in the depart- ment may occur in order to provide a 2015 projection of full-time and part-time firefighters and the potential rate estimated for if and when that number may dwindle. While not having that number immediately available at tonight's meeting, Mr. Trudgeon advised that Fire Chief Tim O'Neill had been analyzing that. Mr. Trudgeon clarified that, as people retired, the department would not look to fill part-time positions; but advised that he was working with Chief O'Neill on a con- crete plan to move from where the department was at currently to where it wanted to be short-term in the next few years. Mr. Trudgeon suggested several factors to keep in mind, including a shift in operations, and the pros and cons of moving forward with six full-time firefighters; as well as how to deal with the Fire Relief Association in the future. Mr. Trudgeon noted that it would all take time to sort out and work through the details with the Association, and asked that the City Council allow staff time to go through that process. Mr. Trudgeon further noted that the potential for unionization of full-time firefighters was a reality and those details remained an unknown until further down the path. Mr. Trudgeon reported that he anticipated a more concrete plan being available for the City Council by this fall, including all associated costs.