Police and fire budgets presented; officials warn Amendment 3 could force deep cuts

Acting Police Chief Brett Owen told council the department is authorized for 1,016 officers and 312 professional staff, with recent hiring to fill vacancies; he noted Priority One response times are roughly 4.25 minutes and that the department is expanding drone operations while evaluating long‑term helicopter needs.

Fire Rescue Chief Tripp reported the department's new CAD system went live June 23 and is expected to improve response times; he flagged station needs downtown (Station 1) and said several capital projects were paused or deferred pending fiscal uncertainty. "We are looking at all of our technologies to see if there's overlap," Owen told council when asked how the department would respond to future revenue shortfalls.

CFO Dennis Rogero and department leaders warned that the ballot measure known as Amendment 3—the property tax rollback initiative under discussion statewide—could reduce city general fund revenues significantly if passed. Rogero estimated ongoing annual losses that would begin in FY28 and grow over time, projecting an initial $35–40 million loss in the first impacted year and rising thereafter. Council members said they need scenario analyses showing how police and fire services would be backfilled or reduced under different revenue outcomes.

What’s next: Staff will provide additional scenario planning and a clearer list of CIP items that are paused and which projects would be reprioritized if revenues fall.