During initial discussion of the proposed FY 2025–26 budget (Ordinance 2025-209), Alderman Ray (last name reported in transcript as a council member) raised concerns about staffing and scheduling practices that have required firefighters to take mandatory “Kelly” days to control overtime costs.

The alderman said the city adopted a policy several years ago that required firefighters to take a day off every third pay period to avoid overtime expense. He urged the council and administration to restore regular staffing so firefighters would work the scheduled 24-hour shifts and be off 48 hours, as originally hired, rather than being forced to take mandatory off days. The council member said the “Kelly” policy results in individual firefighters losing days (he cited four forced days off per year under the arrangement) and expressed a preference to restore normal schedules when the budget allows.

The alderman explained the overtime calculation is driven by the 28-day pay-period system used for shift work; forcing the mandatory day-off affects overtime thresholds and increases overtime in some pay periods. He said the current budget review suggested the administration anticipated removing the mandatory Kelly-day requirement, which he supported, but later realized budget text or implementation assumptions differed.

Council discussion did not produce a final decision at the meeting; the administration and council recorded the budget ordinance on first reading and will return for further consideration. Several members expressed support for restoring staffing where fiscally possible, and one alderman asked staff to look for ways to fund returning personnel to their originally intended schedules.

No formal vote on the specific scheduling policy change occurred; the council did approve the first-reading budget ordinance, which will return for future action where staffing and overtime issues can be resolved in budget hearings.