Firefighters’ union disputes mayor’s claims over department spending in Cape Girardeau
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — The president of Cape Girardeau Firefighters Local 1084 is disputing recent claims by Mayor Stacy Kinder that the city’s 2016 labor contract led to Fire Department spending overruns that harmed other departments.
In a written statement, Local 1084 President Andrew Juden said the city’s audited financial statements do not support the mayor’s characterization. He cited the city’s fiscal year 2023-24 independent audit, which shows the Public Safety Department — which includes the Fire Department — finished the year under its final approved budget.
According to the audit, the final Public Safety budget was $18,498,130, while actual expenditures totaled $18,166,062, about $332,000 under budget. Juden also pointed to fiscal year 2021-22, when Public Safety finished $945,490 under final appropriations.
Juden said departments cannot exceed appropriated amounts without City Council approval and noted that independent auditors issued an unmodified opinion with no material weaknesses identified.
The statement also referenced broader city financial data from the fiscal year 2024 audit, including increases in governmental fund balances and the city’s general fund, as well as a decrease in long-term debt.
Juden addressed claims of cumulative spending overruns between 2021 and 2025, saying the figures cited by the mayor did not account for firefighter vacancies that required overtime to maintain minimum staffing. He said vacancy-related salary savings offset a portion of overtime costs.
Juden said firefighters have worked without a ratified contract for more than three years and called for what he described as greater transparency and good-faith negotiations with city leadership.
Mayor Kinder has previously stated that Fire Department expenditures have exceeded budgeted amounts and placed strain on other city departments.
The dispute comes as the mayoral race continues in Cape Girardeau.
