Administration frames operational budget; council debates whether to delay final vote to tackle police and fire pay gap

Kevin (chief of staff) briefed council on the operating budget’s context and constraints, tracing decisions back to the 2022 reappraisal cycle and a millage adjustment that administration leaders said was designed to raise minimum pay and stabilize sworn staffing. Kevin told the council that the administration is proposing to invest this year’s organic revenue growth, about $8,750,000 or roughly 2.59 percent, largely back into civilian employee compensation and operational priorities while holding contingency at $4,800,000.

Kevin said the city faces a growing compensation gap with sworn personnel (fire and police) that staff estimate would require roughly $18,000,000–$19,500,000 in recurring general‑fund revenue to fully close. Kevin and other staff argued…