City budget workshop reveals urgent need for police staffing and resources

During a recent budget workshop, city officials discussed the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, focusing on the overtime expenditures for the fire and police departments. Fire Chief Garcia reported that the fire department's overtime budget was initially set at $150,000 but is projected to reach approximately $550,000 by the end of the current fiscal year. For the upcoming year, the budget has been adjusted to $300,000 in an effort to reduce overtime costs.

Similarly, the police department's overtime budget was also set at $150,000, with estimates suggesting it will finish at $350,000 this year. Chief Gandy explained that a significant portion of police overtime—about 25%—is attributed to staffing shortages in telecommunications, which has led to increased reliance on officers to cover shifts. The department is currently fully staffed at eight officers, but any drop below this number triggers mandatory overtime.

The discussion highlighted the challenges faced by the police department, particularly regarding staffing and the need for additional resources. Chief Gandy noted that the department has one supervisor and two officers on duty at all times, and any further reduction in staffing would compromise public safety. The need for additional telecommunicators and officers was emphasized as a way to mitigate overtime costs and improve operational efficiency.

Council members expressed concerns about the implications of special events on overtime expenses, urging caution in approving requests that could lead to increased costs. The conversation also touched on the necessity of an armored personnel carrier for high-risk situations, which could enhance officer safety during operations.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges of managing public safety budgets while addressing community needs and ensuring adequate staffing levels. The city officials are tasked with balancing these demands as they prepare for the upcoming fiscal year.