For the second year in a row the Hicksville Fire District has reduced its budget while maintaining the highest level of fire protection for the residents of Hicksville. The 2007 budget is 11 percent lower than the current year's.

According to Hicksville Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman William P. McKee, many aspects of the district budget, such as heating, electricity and water, are

essential costs. "We would like nothing better than to be able to control the price of heating fuel, but unfortunately we all know the price has skyrocketed over the past 18 months, not to mention the increased cost of electricity," said McKee.

The greatest reduction in costs was in the Capital Equipment and Exempt categories. The district was able to reduce the costs in the Capital Equipment area because, according to Commissioner Anthony Wigdiniski, they "are currently a fully equipped department. "After September 11, 2001, we felt the responsibility to equip the department with whatever may be necessary in the event of another disaster," said Wigdzinski, adding that that mission was accomplished with the purchases of radiological meters and infrared cameras.

Commissioner Harry J. Single further added that, "the budget was reduced while still providing the new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) currently on order." Single went on to explain that the district had budgeted for that large purchase for several years and is very glad that it can provide the new SCBAs that meet all of the new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational and Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) regulations for its firefighters.

With the previous budget, the average residential cost for fire protection was a mere 64 cents a day. "With the further reduction in the budget, I am glad to see that the average taxpayer in Hicksville will be paying less while still receiving the same outstanding level of service," Hearon said, adding, "In today's day and age, I would say that is quite an accomplishment since we are used to paying more for things and getting less."

Additionally, the exempt category was reduced because the board of fire commissioners cut the budget in non-essential, non-critical categories. For instance, the Judgment Claims and 6G categories were reduced since the board did not anticipate the need for the additional monies that were previously in the category.

For Commissioner Robert E. Manson, the newest member of the board of fire commissioners, this was his first experience establishing the fire district's budget. "I am very honored to be part of a board that is dedicated to maintaining citizen and firefighter safety while exercising fiscal responsibility."