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Emergency management budget grows; $250,000 set aside for World Cup planning, councilors question staff reductions
Summary
The Finance Committee reviewed the Emergency Management budget, which shows a roughly 26% increase in total expenditures and a $250,000 special-events allocation for World Cup preparedness. Councilors pressed staff over the defunding of one general-funded preparedness position and the department's small staffing levels.
The Finance Committee examined the Emergency Management department's proposed FY26 budget at its April 29 meeting, where staff described a roughly 26% increase in total expenditures and a new $250,000 discretionary line item intended to support World Cup-related safety measures.
Director (named in the record as Claire DeSergos) and budget staff told the committee the department is a revenue-generating unit with its largest revenue source the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). Staff budgeted EMPG revenue of roughly $202,000 in FY26. The department also receives other state and federal pass-throughs, and staff described a completed Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) delivered this year.
On expenditures, presenters said total FY26 spending rises to about $1,000,000 from $796,000 in FY25 (a roughly 26% increase). A notable discretionary addition is $250,000 in a special-events line intended for World Cup-related safety measures, food for emergency operations center activations, professional development and weather-advisory support; staff said the amount is a placeholder to ensure the city can respond proactively as planning details emerge.
Several councilors pressed staff about staffing: the department's FY26 proposal includes moving some work to grant funds, and staff acknowledged the budget reflects one fewer general-funded FTE than FY25, producing an identified recurring savings of about $67,000. Staff said the senior preparedness coordinator position was last filled about a month and a half before the budget process and that the vacancy appeared during the preparation of the FY26 materials; the department also has two grant-funded preparedness coordinator positions in the proposed budget. Councilors expressed concern that reducing general-funded headcount could weaken capacity, especially given World Cup planning and the department's small permanent staffing.
Staff said the $250,000 special-events allocation will remain in the department budget (not moved to another account) and could be used for vendors, staff support or other expenditures once more concrete needs are known; staff emphasized uncertainty around state and federal funding for World Cup support and said federal and state conversations are ongoing. The World Cup planning timeline was cited: games begin June 11, 2026, so planning and some spending are anticipated in the coming fiscal year.
Committee members praised the department's recent completion of the Hazard Mitigation Plan and asked for clear triggers and criteria for rehiring or adding capacity should grants or operational needs warrant it. Staff said hiring decisions would be made operationally and financially, and that grant awards often vary year-to-year (EMPG eligibility is up to 50% of certain staff costs, but actual awards historically have been lower). No amendments or binding hiring directives were made at the hearing.
