AUBURN -- With the council's blessing, the city manager has implemented a pocket veto to hold off getting a second truck for the fire department.

City manager Mark Palesh spoke to the Auburn City Council about how the expected source to pay for the pumper truck has had some unexpected expenses.

The manager created an incentive program that would take saved money earmarked for overtime and use it to purchase equipment for that department.

However, overtime costs after the council approved buying a truck climbed more than the average $12,000 to $14,000 during each pay period.

One issue fire chief Mike Hammon credits for the rise in overtime expenses is two vacancies. However, earlier Thursday, the Auburn Civil Service Commission turned down Palesh's petition to authorize lateral transfers, he said. Instead the city will have to pay to train firefighters, and wait until they can work in the field.

Palesh will look into funding the vehicle with state grants or other sources.

Councilor Matt Smith supported Palesh's decision to delay the lease because other departments need equipment as well.

Palesh said he will sit on the lease agreement until he has a reason to push it forward.

He didn't blame the fire department as a whole for the hike in overtime, but simply could not definitely say the money would be in the overtime account as he agreed would be the funding source.

"If it continues (to increase), I can't keep my promise," Palesh said.

For more, read Friday's Citizen