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Council hears police, fire, DPS and parks budget priorities: cameras, ambulances, SCBA and pathway needs
Summary
At the Aug. 19 budget workshop Rochester Hills public‑safety and infrastructure leaders outlined requests including expanded license‑plate reader coverage (from 10 to 20 cameras), replacement cardiac monitors and Lucas chest compression devices for fire, water main replacements, and growing pathway rehabilitation needs ahead of a 2026 pathway millage renewal.
Leaders from the sheriff’s office, fire department, public services and parks appeared before council Aug. 19 to present specific operational and capital requests tied to the city’s proposed 2025 budget.
Public‑safety leaders described rising call volumes and property crime trends and recommended targeted technology and staffing investments. "We are proposing the creation of a multi‑jurisdictional community response team," Lieutenant Denis Service said, outlining a regional detective/sergeant structure to target organized property‑crime groups. Captain Yer and other patrol leaders also asked council to double the city’s leased Flock license‑plate readers from 10 to 20, citing recent cases where the technology produced actionable leads.
Fire Chief Todd Gary said rising emergency medical service demand requires equipment upgrades and staffing continuity: the department seeks replacements for near‑end‑of‑life self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), two Lucas chest compression devices and new cardiac monitors to facilitate ALS non‑transport upgrades for some apparatus.
Infrastructure priorities raised by public services and parks staff included water main replacement in the University Hills subdivision, several streambank stabilization projects and a citywide pathway rehabilitation program. DPS staff said pathway rehab currently costs roughly $400,000–$500,000 per mile and that the city has about 100 miles of pathway network; at present spending levels, staff said the city would be unable to rehabilitate all pathways frequently enough to prevent deterioration and safety concerns.
Council members repeatedly tied pathway maintenance to the upcoming pathway millage timeline and discussed options for earlier renewal or targeted funding. Administration officials said the pathway millage remains funded through fiscal year 2026, and that staff will study priority locations and potential rapid flashing beacons or crosswalk improvements where safety concerns are highest.
The public‑safety and infrastructure items are included in the administration’s 2025–2027 budget proposal and will be considered as council prepares for the Sept. 9 public hearing and Sept. 23 approval vote.
