ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - On Tuesday, Roanoke County held the first public meeting on its $186 million proposed budget, a $3.4 million increase over last fiscal year.
One department some residents said they'd like to see more money spent is on staffing for Fire & E-M-S.
Gary Greer came to the public meeting to hear more about the proposed budget.
"I've been looking at the budget and what I see in there is so many things that I think can be changed," said Greer. "My special interest is in the rescue squads."
Staffing for rescue squads is an issue local leaders hope to address. Roanoke County Administrator Tom Gates said a possible solution is part of the proposed budget.
"We still are about 11 firefighter positions below what we deem to be minimum staffing. In this budget, I've included four new positions, firefighter positions," Gates said.
The plan calls for roughly $230,000 to go toward hiring new staff. Gates said the increased personnel would reduce overtime costs by $50,000. Gates said they are also seeking federal grant funds to help fill positions.
"If we get it, it will allow us to fill the gap completely and hire 11 but we are not sure of the grant funds at this point," said Gates. "What we do have is county resources committed to hire at least four new firefighters."
While the proposed plan is expected to close the staffing gap, Greer believes it may not be enough.
"Four people is a drop in the bucket, it's nothing" he said.
Roanoke County is holding another public meeting on the budget Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. at South County Library.