Public Safety for All order left in committee as council seeks cost estimates and budget clarity

An order from Councilor Burnley asking the Chief of Police to present the financial implications of the Public Safety for All recommendations — specifically costs to fund additional officers, to acquire and implement body-worn cameras, and to expand co-response models — was left in committee for further staff follow-up.

Legislative liaison Yasmin Udassy told the committee the city is hiring a Public Safety for All project manager who will evaluate and prioritize the more than 70 recommendations from task forces and working groups, create work plans, and estimate implementation costs. During the meeting there was confusion over the hiring status and funding source; Udassy later clarified the position is funded through a supplemental appropriation from the city—s Racial and Social Justice fund approved in the FY25 budget process.

Councilors raised several questions about timing and budget treatment. Councilor Burnley asked whether anticipated implementation costs would appear in the FY26 budget or be requested as midyear supplemental appropriations; staff said they expected supplemental appropriations as recommendations are prioritized. Councilors also recalled prior council action to withhold funding for body cameras until policy concerns were addressed and sought clarity about whether policy changes required by the council have been adopted.

Committee members agreed to keep the order in committee to allow staff to return with clearer cost estimates, confirmation of the project manager funding and reporting structure, and answers about whether specific recommendations will be included in the FY26 budget or require separate supplemental requests.

No formal vote on the order was taken; the item remains in committee.