Grants Pass council approves 12 new public-safety positions, directs staff on funding

Grants Pass City Council voted unanimously to add 12 full‑time public‑safety positions, approving the city staff recommendation to fund six police and six fire positions and directing staff to bring a resolution to the Sept. 3 business meeting to confirm the change.

City staff presented two staffing options to the council: a minimal option adding seven full‑time employees (FTEs) — one per shift in police and fire — with an estimated annual cost of about $1,000,000, and an “optimal” package adding 12 FTEs (six police, six fire) with an estimated full annual cost of about $1,830,000. The council voted to pursue the larger package and to reassess financial policies during the next budget process.

The staffing increase is intended to reduce forced callbacks and overtime, improve response times and proactive policing and fire coverage, increase training capacity, and move the city closer to an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rating for fire protection, staff and the fire chief told the council. "Having that extra personnel, 3 per engine, will give you that ISO…