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Albert Lea council approves ordinance splitting Public Safety into separate police and fire departments
Summary
On second reading the council approved Ordinance 25‑133 to dissolve the combined Public Safety Department and reestablish separate police and fire departments, with chiefs overseeing each. The council also approved a resolution permitting publication of the ordinance summary.
The Albert Lea City Council on April 14 approved Ordinance 25‑133 on second reading to divide the existing Public Safety Department into separate Police and Fire departments, each led by its own chief.
City Manager presented the ordinance, saying staff recommended the final reading because "current staffing and needs of the community are better matched going back to this organizational structure." Councilor Anderson moved the ordinance; Councilor Van Beek seconded. Councilors voted by roll call in favor: Christiansen (Aye), Baker (Aye), Howland (Aye), Van Beek (Aye), Anderson (Aye), and Mayor Murray (Aye). The motion carried.
Council discussion focused on pay and staffing implications of eliminating the Public Safety director position and elevating assistant chiefs: Councilor Baker asked whether the change would produce payroll savings; the city manager said he did not have exact figures but expected the long‑term effect to be neutral or slightly higher due to grade and step placements. The manager emphasized recruitment and morale benefits of separate department leadership.
After the ordinance passed, the council approved a companion resolution permitting publication of an ordinance summary, which staff said "may be published if they reasonably inform the public of the effect and intent of the ordinance" and fulfills legal notice requirements.
Why it matters: Splitting the Public Safety Department restores traditional department lines with dedicated chiefs for police and fire, a change officials said aligns responsibilities with current staffing and local public safety needs. The council will implement staffing and pay adjustments consistent with city pay scales and applicable policies.
What happens next: Publication of a summary will notify the public how to obtain the full ordinance text. City staff will implement organizational changes and update job classifications; further specific pay or staffing decisions were not finalized at the meeting.
