The city of Auburn has agreed to hold off on the purchase of a second fire truck. The city manager had intended to apply unused overtime funds to buy new equipment for the fire department.

However, overtime costs have recently increased roughly $2,000 per pay period; attributed to two vacancies within the department. With the anticipated funds no longer available, the city manager will now have to investigate state grants to fund the purchase.

But is this really a blow to the city? I don't ask to be cheeky, but in an economically depressed region, it's about time Auburn reassessed its needs and wants.

Most businesses operate in the red. There is no shame in it; it's a nationwide reality. In fact, debt is probably the most profitable and successful business enterprise of the last century. Businesses, organizations and even government offices have to find creative ways to stay afloat.

AMH recently claimed bankruptcy. The fire department took a gamble on payroll funds.

Why? Because a city needs a hospital, and a city needs a fire department. But, as both operations are obviously running over budget, the next step is to assess unnecessary luxuries.

It's time to strip down to the bare essentials. The problem is that American society is so spoiled, I'm not sure that everyone understands what “bare essentials” means. For anyone who has never enjoyed Mel Brooks' classic “Star Wars” spoof, “Space Balls,” there is a great scene in which the princess character is insistent on trudging through a desert with her matched luggage. When confronted, she is quick to quip, “It's my industrial strength hair dryer and I can't live without it!”

State-of-the-art equipment is certainly advantageous, but if the old equipment functions adequately then the new equipment is a want. If overtime is inflated, then staffing is a need. It makes no sense to buy a new engine before you hire someone to operate it.

It seems a little prioritization is in order. It also seems like the budget needs to be reevaluated.

If there are two vacant positions, there must be two vacant salaries floating around somewhere. Where has that money gone? If those salaries have already been absorbed, then the department probably shouldn't be looking to secure more debt.

Bottom line, let's stop spending money we don't have on things we don't need.

Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com