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Urbana council hears police and fire staffing updates, schedules zoning work session
Summary
Council received staffing reports: police at 18 officers and recruiting three, fire at 20 staff with a new hire starting Jan. 12; council scheduled a post-Jan. 6 work session to discuss potential zoning changes and noted Planning Commission will not meet next week.
Council members asked department leaders about staffing during the Dec. 16 regular session and received brief operational updates.
When asked by Ms. Jumper how many officers the Division seeks, Interim Police Chief Josh Jacobs said the department currently has 18 sworn officers and is recruiting three additional officers; he noted one of the three hires will eventually replace a chief’s anticipated retirement. Fire Chief Dean Ortlieb said the fire division currently has 20 career staff and expects one new hire to start Jan. 12; Mr. Mitchell also confirmed the Fire Marshal (Chris Jones) began work earlier in the week. Chief Jacobs thanked the Street Department for assistance with winter patrols and noted officers’ annual gift delivery is scheduled for Dec. 23 or 24 — the 16th year of the program.
Mrs. Bean announced there will be no Planning Commission meeting next week. Council Clerk Steffan said the Jan. 6, 2026 regular meeting will include organizational matters (swearing-in, department liaison assignments, selecting a President Pro Tempore and reaffirming the Clerk position). Mrs. Collier requested a work session after the Jan. 6 meeting to discuss possible zoning changes; the council approved holding the session by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
