Edmond projects tighter public-safety finances; police, fire propose staffing, Station 6 costs

City of Edmond staff on Tuesday presented a conservative five-year budget outlook for the Edmond Police and Fire Departments that shows both public-safety funds could run deficits under worst-case assumptions, and outlined proposed staffing and capital plans to respond.

Finance staff told the Edmond City Council they modeled sales-tax growth at 0% for fiscal 2026 and use-tax growth at 4% for planning purposes. Kathy Panas, who presented the revenue and reserve figures, said the fire fund receives a dedicated 0.25 percent sales-tax levy (about $6,000,000 annually) and the police fund receives 0.125 percent (about $3,000,000 annually). With transfers from the general fund and other sources, Panas said the fire fund’s projected new revenue for FY26 is about $32,000,000 against estimated costs near $39,000,000; police new revenue is about $34,000,000 against estimated costs near $39,000,000.

Why it matters: the presentations were framed as a conservative planning exercise, not a finalized budget. Councilors repeatedly emphasized the five-year forecast is a planning tool and that next year’s budget — which the council will approve annually — is where balancing decisions are made.

City staff and public-safety chiefs highlighted staffing, vehicle and equipment replacement, and technology as the top cost drivers. Police Chief J.D. Younger said sworn staffing will be volatile because of a…