04.29.2026 Budget & Appropriations Committee Meeting

The City of Bridgeport Budget & Appropriations Committee meeting on April 29, 2026, focused extensively on the Central Grants Office and the Fire Department's budget and grant activities. The Central Grants Office reported securing approximately $30 million in external funding for city projects in FY27, managing 82 active grants, and pursuing over $23 million in grants currently in development. Discussions highlighted challenges with grant eligibility, matching fund requirements, and the need for additional grant writers to increase funding opportunities. The Fire Department presented its FY27 budget, including staffing needs such as adding one lieutenant, and detailed capital improvement requests totaling millions for equipment replacement, including fireboats, SCBA gear, and fire stations. The department emphasized rising costs and extended delivery times for apparatus, the importance of transitioning firefighters to EMT certification, and ongoing efforts to manage overtime and vacancies. Committee members expressed strong support for adequately funding public safety and requested further information on grant revenues and capital plans. No formal votes on budget items were recorded in the transcript, but motions to approve the fire department budget and adjourn the meeting were made and seconded.