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Police and fire costs drive FY26 budget discussion; city explores county partnerships and ESD options
Summary
Staff told council public safety is the major driver of FY26 general‑fund increases and outlined pay changes, hiring efforts, EMS modernization and options for county partnerships and emergency services districts to share costs.
City staff told council public safety spending is the main cost driver in the FY26 budget and discussed a mix of pay adjustments, hiring, intergovernmental options and service changes to address rising costs.
Scale of the issue: presenters said public safety costs have grown faster than other departments and noted the city has recently reduced police vacancies from over 50 to under 20. Staff told council that about 20% of fire runs occur in the county and estimated that the county calls cost the general fund roughly $10 million—described in the presentation as equivalent to “5 pennies on the tax rate.” The city’s total public safety cost in the presentation was described as roughly $99 million.
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