Panel urges wildfire division funding

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin's Public Safety Commission is fired up when it comes to preventing the city from burning up. Members say budget planners and the city council have largely ignored their suggestion to fund a new Wildfire Mitigation Division - a group of the Austin Fire Department specifically set aside to battle those blazes.

Proposals show it could cost $2 million dollars. But the council will finalize the budget next week, leaving little room for changes until next year.

"Yeah, but you know what else can come up with the next budget process?” asked Commission Vice Chairman Mike Levy. “A major inferno."

City officials were recently able to tack on a budget amendment that moved money around for the addition of three positions to begin a wildfire division. Though it's a start, the commission said it is still not enough.

Council staffers who spoke with KXAN said they are supportive of these prevention measures, but money is tight citywide. Others are reserving comment until budget talks commence next Monday.