Budget cuts could force fire stations to close in Jacksonville

Mayor Alvin Brown is calling for 10 to 15 percent budget cuts across the board, but some agencies are now saying those cuts could put your safety at risk.

We've heard some push back from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and now Fire Rescue is joining in.

Cuts to the fire rescue department would be somewhere around $13 million.  The president of the fire union Randy Wyse says that would force them to close fire stations.

Wyse spoke to our news partner Channel 4, he told them, "I don't see any other option but closing fire stations and putting companies out of service with that number."

"We think any sort of budget cut of that amount in any department in the city that provides an essential service is off base," Wyse said.

Mayor Brown told WOKV that everything is on the table right now and did not say whether or not he would exclude any city agencies from budget cuts.

JSO would have to cut $32 million under the outlined budget reductions, to which the mayor says he's confident a reduction of some sort will be worked out.

Those cuts would not be made until next year and no word on whether more layoffs could be on the way.