Council hears requests for more police and fire staff; chiefs also want new trucks

City staff told council public safety remains a central budget pressure: police and fire leaders have requested additional staff and the replacement of major apparatus.

"When we do a bump up, ... we did that big adjustment in 2022," Staff member (Speaker 2) said, noting the city provided large pay adjustments in 2022 and smaller 3% cost-of-living increases subsequently that have allowed neighboring agencies to catch up. He warned "we're starting to lose ground" and that both chiefs have asked for additional staff.

Staff described increased calls for service and said the city now maintains 24-hour police coverage (previously supplemented by the sheriff's office). "You see our calls for service going up," Staff member said, and attributed improved response and more arrests to the department's activity under Fred's leadership.

On fire service, staff said additional county funding prompted the fire chief to respond to more medical calls and to add three firefighters; council member (Speaker 6) asked if contract negotiations would include funding for a new fire truck. Staff said options include county replacement programs and other financing mechanisms and acknowledged the department likely needs at least one new truck — "We need 2, actually," Staff member said — though the specific procurement timing will be part of contract negotiation and capital planning.

No formal staffing hires or capital authorizations were approved at the workshop; staff said they will include staffing scenarios and tradeoffs in the draft budget for council consideration.