More than 14 months after their contract expired, East Lansing firefighters have reached a four-year agreement with the city amidst a shrinking budget.

The contract seeks a balance between the city's money woes and concerns about staffing and overtime among firefighters, officials on both sides of the agreement say.

Fire Union President Don Carter said members are not thrilled with the agreement, but understand that economic troubles cause "some give and take on both sides."

The firefighters' contract is among the most expensive for the city, accounting for an estimated $4 million of East Lansing's $30 million general fund, said George Lahanas, the city's human resources director.

"The budget is tight and health care issues are increasing demands on our shrinking budget," he said.

The new contract calls for no reductions in the department's overall staffing levels, which stand at 51 including the chief.

One concern among firefighters is the reduction in the minimum number of firefighters required to be on duty at any given time.

In the past, a minimum of 14 firefighters were on duty at all times. That total could now drop as low as 12 in the evening and 11 during the day, due to sick time and vacations.

"The situation will arise where we could find ourselves a little short," Carter said.

Lahanas said the "minimum is not a maximum" and it "doesn't necessarily mean there will only be 12 people in the station."

Despite the challenges, Lahanas said he doesn't believe people will "notice any difference whatsoever" in fire service.

The two sides agreed to the contract last week, days before an arbitrator was scheduled to take up the case. The previous contract expired July 1, 2002.

"It is always better to settle the agreement voluntarily with both sides agreeing rather than having an arbitrator making the decisions for you," Lahanas said.

Public safety services combined account for about one-third of the city's budget.