Commission authorizes 13 new city positions, including six EMS transport firefighters

The Traverse City Commission authorized the creation of 13 full‑time positions included in the 2025–26 budget, including six firefighter positions to staff EMS transport, plus other operations and public‑works roles.

Why it matters: those six firefighter positions implement the EMS-transport service voters approved in November 2023. The commission also approved additional positions across public works, water and parks to support operational needs.

Details: city management said the 13 positions were approved conceptually in the budget and require formal authorization to add them to the city’s payroll. The package includes six firefighters (funded by the approved fire millage), a water treatment plant operator, a system administrator, a forestry/parks maintenance worker, a stormwater equipment operator, a detective sergeant, a project coordinator and a marina dockmaster. Two positions are noted to convert part‑time roles to full time; some positions may be funded from enterprise funds rather than the general fund.

Commission debate: Commissioner Warner said he would withhold support for the entire package and preferred to approve the EMS/fire positions and the water‑treatment operator immediately while deferring other hires to the July budget/strategic-plan alignment discussion to prioritize constrained resources. Other commissioners said the positions had already been vetted and included in the adopted budget and that several are tied to enterprise funds or the approved millage.

Vote: motion to create the 13 positions was moved and seconded; roll call recorded six yes, one no (Commissioner Werner voted no). The motion carried.

Implementation: city human‑resources and department managers will proceed with recruitment and onboarding consistent with budget funding sources and departmental needs.