Council members propose budget work groups, revenue stabilization and regional fire authority task force

Summary

Council members suggested forming a revenue-stabilization/investment work group, a dedicated budget work group for council operations, and a task force to explore a regional fire authority; they also recommended scenario-based planning and workforce development funding to address public safety staffing shortages.

Council members used the Finance & Administration meeting to propose a set of work groups and priorities to guide 2027 budget planning. The chair proposed a standalone council budget work group and an investment/revenue-stabilization discussion to avoid eleventh-hour decisions and provide earlier scenario planning.

Council members recommended scenario-based budget planning that would present multiple revenue and cut/add scenarios for the next biennium and said the council should consider additional funding for workforce development, especially in public safety roles where staffing shortfalls and overtime expenses are significant.

One council member proposed convening stakeholders on a potential regional fire authority and creating either a separate task force or placing the work in council operations for vetting. The group discussed structuring council operations to allow ongoing operational oversight and separate topic-focused task forces where deeper analysis is required.

Council asked staff to compile these proposals and incorporate them into the upcoming budget review and work group scheduling.