Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bend keeps public safety staffing steady while funding wildfire, traffic enforcement and predictive analytics
Summary
City of Bend presented public-safety budget proposals that add a limited number of new firefighters and police traffic-enforcement staff and allocate technology dollars for automated enforcement and analytics while officials warned long-term funding questions remain.
City of Bend leaders presented public-safety budget plans that add staff and technology but stop short of large new ongoing programs, citing both operational needs and the larger fiscal context of limited revenue growth.
Fire and emergency medical services Fire Chief Todd Riley said the fire budget is personnel-heavy and includes funding for a wildfire hazard mitigation coordinator (a full-time wildfire outreach and mitigation position) and a 0.5 FTE communications position. Chief Riley said maintaining response times is a top priority for fire and that staff are pursuing predictive analysis software to better align deployment with changing call patterns as Bend grows. He described efforts to manage overtime through strategic deployment and contract negotiations and said the department is working with the rural fire protection district on long-term funding options for sustained emergency service delivery.
Police department Police Chief Mike Krantz described a personnel-focused budget that adds two automated traffic enforcement agents and supports previously approved positions. The department continues technology investments (body-worn and fleet cameras, a real-time information/incident command system, unmanned aerial systems and virtual-reality training) and will expand evidence storage and facility modifications to accommodate staff growth. Krantz said the department has deliberately implemented alternative response programs (behavioral health crisis response with Deschutes County, a deflection program for some drug-related calls and verified-alarm response) that have reduced patrol calls and freed officers for proactive enforcement. Krantz said automated traffic enforcement is intended to improve safety and, over time, to be budget neutral once the program reaches maturity.
Why this matters Public safety is the largest operating area by personnel cost in the proposed budget. Officials stressed the link between staffing, response times and public outcomes: Chief Riley said response time performance is directly correlated with better patient and incident outcomes, while Chief Krantz said data-driven and technology-assisted alternatives let departments focus sworn officers where they are most needed.
Budget impacts and caveats - Fire: budget increases driven primarily by personnel, with some capital for ambulance re-chassis and facility maintenance. New wildfire coordinator position is intended to centralize community wildfire risk reduction efforts. - Police: technology and facility investments to support growth; two traffic enforcement agents added in the proposal; automated enforcement contract under negotiation (anticipated council action in June); program expected to be budget-neutral over time though up-front personnel and contract costs are included. - EMS revenue: ambulance transport billing remains an important revenue line; staff said Medicaid reimbursement trends reduce per-transport revenues and increase pressure on ambulance service budgets.
Ending Both chiefs requested continued collaboration with the budget committee and council on long-term funding options, especially for wildfire preparedness and EMS sustainability, and said they will continue to monitor overtime and other cost drivers closely.
