Wilmer budget approval means long-term growth

WILMER – When the City of Wilmer passed its budget several weeks ago and it went into effect Oct. 1, it meant long term goals met for the growth of the city.

In the budget were enhancements to the senior programs and the Community Center as well as the creation of two Wilmer Fire Department captains – and the hiring of three new fire fighters.

It also meant bringing employee salaries to a minimum level of acceptance and a three percent cost of living raise for employees on their anniversary dates.

City staff is hopeful the $5,250 budgeted for the senior programs and the community center will further engage seniors in the community to take advantage of perks already being offered. Staff also intends to create more perks.

Now seniors living in Wilmer have the benefit, at least a few days a week, of learning more about health and finance and even being driven to doctor’s appointments when necessary.

Field trips are other perks seniors can enjoy, but staff say they are hopeful that this can be increased from three days a week to five days a week as new programs get underway.

Currently, there are about 15 seniors who take advantage of the senior programs, but the final word is “there are lots of possibilities.”

“The goal of the overall budget was to provide all citizens with more meaningful and in-depth services,” said interim Wilmer City Manager Dr. John Hubbard.

“This includes enhanced services and planned programming for our senior citizens, as well as focusing recruitment and retention efforts for our first responders to build and maintain quality teams for health and safety of all citizens.”

Wilmer Fire Chief Mark Hamilton said he is happy to see the changes in his department.

The Fire Department had five open spots for full time at one point not long ago.

Recently, four of his part-time people went full time leaving only one open position in the fire department when the increases were finally approved.

Until this latest increase, the city’s fire department had been a training ground for employees who came in to learn and then moved on to higher paying cities in the area.

“We were so underpaid compared to other fire departments, I could not hire anyone,” Hamilton concluded.