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Council questions ambassador program costs, payroll transfers and rent at 75 Erieview during Public Safety admin review
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Summary
Budget hearing for Public Safety Administration focused on a transfer of two payroll positions to the fire division, expanded ambassador program line items (training, supplies, travel) and council requests for detail on rent paid at 75 Erieview and other leased space.
City council members scrutinized the Department of Public Safety administration’s budget changes at a budget hearing that highlighted the transfer of two payroll specialists into the Fire Division, expanded spending tied to a new “ambassador” program, and large annual rent charges for leased office space.
The changes are largely budget‑neutral for headcount but shift payroll lines from Public Safety Administration to the Division of Fire. Finance staff told the committee that the two employees “were with, under the Department of Public Safety Admin” but “do the payroll for the division of fire,” so staff and the associated budget dollars were moved to the fire budget.
Council members also pressed department leaders about several sizable increases tied to the ambassador program: travel, tuition and training, printed materials and office supplies. Finance staff said a recurring $50,000 travel allocation and $150,000 in tuition/registration are earmarked for the ambassador initiative. Director Dorna A. Drummond described the program as largely introductory for people ages about 18–21 to learn about public safety careers and said the program is being reevaluated; she said there are 10 ambassadors budgeted for 2025 and that the program has historically underspent some of its line items.
“Part of my task ... is to make sure that we have sufficient training for all the members of public safety admin, including our ambassadors program,” Drummond said, adding the department is “in the process of reevaluating the program.” Council members asked for a detailed breakdown of the ambassador program’s full cost per participant.
Council members also pressed for answers about property rentals: a $214,500 contractual services line was identified as the Family Justice Center lease at 75 Erieview (the transcript identifies the location as 7575 Erieview in places), and members asked whether that rent is borne entirely by Public Safety or allocated across divisions that use the space (Health Department, CRB, Sustainability were listed as tenants). Finance staff said the rent shows up in each division’s budget where applicable and that the city will supply a breakdown of the total annual rent and how it is allocated among divisions.
Other items discussed: - Green‑sheet changes: Finance staff explained budget “green sheets” moving two payroll roles to Fire, which reduced the Public Safety Admin full‑time permanent count by two and moved associated benefits to Fire. - Ambassador program scale: 10 ambassadors budgeted for 2025; council members questioned why travel/tuition/office supplies budgets appear large for the number of participants and asked for per‑participant detail. - Family Justice Center lease: staff identified the lease as at “7575 Erieview,” described as a “one‑stop shop for victims,” and said rent is included in divisions’ budgets; council requested a full annual tally.
Council members asked the administration for multiple follow‑ups: a line‑by‑line cost listing for the ambassador program (per person and total), the precise amount budgeted at each rent location (75 Erieview, Willard garage parking, Justice Center) and confirmation of which budgets include which rental charges. The administration agreed to provide the requested detail before later budget votes.
The hearing also included a question about who is on the administration staff: the director introduced Jim Gensile and Nicole Gallagher from finance, and Michael Herb was identified as a senior strategist and special assistant to the mayor working with Public Safety administration.
