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Council briefed on public safety capital crunch; staff proposes 1‑mill rural fire increase and Motorola contract changes
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Summary
Staff described converging equipment delivery schedules and capital costs that will reduce fund balance, and proposed a one‑mill increase to the rural fire millage (6.6 to 7.6) to fund capital replacement and hybrid staffing; staff also said moving some Motorola communications work in‑house yields long‑term savings but raises near‑term costs.
David, speaking for public safety staff, told council that capital timing and outstanding purchase orders are coinciding in 2026‑27 and will put pressure on the fund balance unless revenue is adjusted.
To address capital replacement and sustain service levels, staff proposed a one‑mill increase in the rural fire millage—from 6.6 to 7.6—aimed at continuing vehicle and equipment replacement, supporting a hybrid staffing model, and increasing direct assistance to volunteer departments. “Number 1, it continues the capital replacement,” David said, describing how the increase would advance equipment orders and staffing changes.
Motorola contract and in‑house work: staff said they restructured the Motorola public‑safety communications contract to avoid exponential future cost increases. Bringing some services in‑house increases near‑term costs (about $1.5 million of the communications increase) but produces net savings compared with renewing the Motorola contract at three-plus million per year; staff estimated roughly $500,000 annual savings from bringing services in‑house.
Personnel and organizational changes: public safety proposals include a manager position (reclassification), three new sheriff patrol/special victims positions, LPN reclassifications to provide medical services in‑house at the detention center, and a dedicated EMS director to implement a pending EMS franchise ordinance.
What’s next: staff will provide details and cost breakdowns in follow‑up materials; council asked for offline briefings and more documentation on personnel and timing before making a decision on the millage and franchise implementation.
