Trophy Club Fire Department enhances staffing strategy amid budget challenges

The Trophy Club Town Council held a work session on June 18, 2025, focusing on the fire department's budget and staffing challenges. Chief Taylor presented a detailed overview of the department's financial performance over recent years, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on staffing and overtime costs.

In 2021, the fire department faced significant challenges, including employee surgeries and increased overtime expenses, resulting in a negative budget variance of over $22,000. The situation worsened in 2022, with five separations from the department, necessitating rapid hiring to maintain operations. Despite these challenges, the department managed to stabilize its budget in 2023, with a projected fiscal activity of $91,399 and approximately 27% of the budget remaining.

Chief Taylor emphasized the importance of a robust part-time firefighter program to mitigate overtime costs associated with full-time staff. The department has seen fluctuations in part-time staffing levels, which directly affect overtime expenses. The chief noted that a limited part-time roster leads to increased reliance on full-time employees, who are more expensive to employ during overtime shifts.

To address staffing shortages, the department has implemented strategies to enhance its part-time program, including offering incentives and career development opportunities. This approach aims to attract and retain part-time firefighters, many of whom are already employed full-time elsewhere. The chief reported that the department's part-time staffing has increased from around 8-10 to 16, significantly improving operational capacity and reducing mandatory overtime.

The council discussed the need for a separate line item in the budget to track overtime costs specifically related to full-time firefighters, which could provide clearer insights into financial management. Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts of the Trophy Club Fire Department to navigate staffing challenges while maintaining budgetary discipline and operational readiness. The chief expressed optimism about staying within budget for the current fiscal year, contingent on continued recruitment and retention of part-time staff.