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Police and fire chiefs flag staffing gaps as insurance and overtime push operating costs up
Summary
Council heard that police and fire are operating at lean staffing levels; police said four additional officers would be needed to meet target staffing and reduce overtime, while fire added a position that cut overtime but warned a new substation will require more hires.
Council heard an extended discussion of public‑safety staffing, overtime and related budget pressures at the Clifton budget workshop.
"We need more," said the police chief, who described shifts that often run with only three officers and said a five‑year plan calls for increasing the force from 31 to 37 officers to provide safer coverage and reduce overtime. The chief told council that adding four officers in one year would cost roughly $125,000–$150,000 per officer in the first year when equipment and vehicle costs are included.
Stevens and council members also discussed insurance and overtime trends that affect police and fire budgets. Stevens said the city had budgeted previously to omit holiday pay for 24/7 units but has now included those costs; he noted that converting to more stable staffing can reduce overtime (the fire department saw overtime fall after adding a single hire).
Council asked for data to validate staffing needs and to prioritize hires; no hires were approved at the workshop. Stevens said staffing additions are limited by available revenues and that even taking full millage increases would not immediately close the gap for public safety. The chiefs and council agreed to continue prioritization work in coming budget sessions.
