Commission reviews FY2026 budget drafts for fire, police, parks and public works

The Angel City Commission on May 22 heard department-level presentations on the fiscal year 2026 draft budget that show rising personnel and operating costs and an increased preliminary general-fund gap.

City Chief of Staff Cynthia Ramos reviewed the workshop agenda and said staff would present budget details for police, fire, parks, recreation and cultural affairs, and public works and hold the first public hearing on the fire assessment. Ramos said the city’s current consolidated estimate for the departments presented is roughly $7.3 million, or about 6 percent, higher than last year’s adopted budget and that staff will return June 12 with additional departments and preliminary taxable-value numbers.

The presentations outlined the drivers behind the increases. Interim Fire Chief Sean Hill House said Gainesville Fire Rescue’s proposed FY2026 general-fund budget is $29.4 million, about $1.6 million above FY2025 adopted, driven primarily by overtime (+$825,000), merit and salary increases (+$547,000) and higher fleet costs. Hill House described operational priorities including continued staffing stabilization after a change to a 24/72 schedule, promotions and training, risk‑reduction work, community outreach programs and plans for new stations and facility replacements.

Police Chief Moya said the police department’s FY2026 proposed budget is about $4.3…