Gun Barrel City discusses FY 2026–27 budget with emphasis on police and fire priorities

The Gun Barrel City Council met June 8, 2026, in council chambers at 1716 West Main Street to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget, focusing on public safety spending and related special funds.

City Manager Dr. Smith was listed as sponsor for the budget item, and a staff member identified as Mickey led the presentation and discussion, telling the council that public safety — police and fire — is the top priority in the packet presented. Mickey said departmental priorities include equipment and operational needs and specifically noted a ladder truck as a prioritized equipment item, described as a basic model "without bells and whistles."

Why it matters: Decisions on the general fund, special funds and one-time equipment purchases will affect service levels for emergency response and the timing of personnel changes and pay steps for sworn and civilian staff.

Mickey provided a high-level finance overview and referenced multi-year planning (10–12 years) and a figure stated in the presentation of about $39,645,000 per year as part of that overview; the transcript contains several garbled numeric lines, and Mickey told council staff would confirm finalized totals once revenues, contract obligations and insurance costs are fully known. Mickey said the city will not finalize accounts until revenue estimates and contract numbers are resolved.

The presentation flagged a set of special fund requests, including a technology fund (one small technology item was cited at roughly $8,000) and a special training fund for departments. Mickey emphasized that staff is reviewing multiple special funds (including a police special fund) to determine what can be moved or funded from those balances before requesting transfers from the general fund.

On personnel, Mickey outlined the council’s proposed pay-step approach: new hires would generally start at step one, with annual progression tied to performance, and some hires may start in October depending on timing. He referenced police staffing levels (the presentation included an unclear reference to '25' officers) and acknowledged council concerns about recruitment and retention tied to step placement and timing.

Mickey told the council that detailed priorities and any proposed transfers are expected to return in August for further consideration. He also noted facility and equipment items already addressed (doors installed and manageable) and mentioned a general-fund enhancement related to water operations.

No motions or formal votes were taken on June 8; council members requested that staff return with clarified revenue projections, exact purchase costs (including for the ladder truck) and precise pay-step impacts before any action. The council will revisit the item in August once staff provides updated figures and recommendations.

Sources: Presentation and discussion led by a staff member identified in the record as Mickey; agenda sponsorship attributed to City Manager Dr. Smith. Some numeric details in the transcript were garbled and are reported here as stated by staff or noted as unclear pending staff confirmation.