City Council to Consider Public Safety Fee Increase

Published on December 13, 2022

City Council will consider a proposed public safety fee increase at the upcoming Council meeting this Thursday, December 15 at 6 p.m. after holding a public hearing on the matter. More details on the proposed fee increase:

Throughout the past year, the City’s Police and Fire departments have been working to evaluate current levels of service and identify ways first responders can effectively address the growing and evolving needs to the community.

“Based off data from two level of service studies, our departments have created Strategic Plans. These plans will direct everyday operations in an effort to address the City’s ability to provide emergency services in an efficient and effective manner,” said Police Chief, Justin Ivens and Fire Chief, Eric Thompson in a joint statement.

The deficiencies in staffing determined from the level of service studies and strategic plans are based on the needs of emergency services as of now. However, the proposal is recommending phasing in the new positions over six years to keep the public safety fee utility fee at a reasonable increase.

Public safety services account for 64 percent of a projected $9.7 million deficit for the 2023-25 biennium. The Revenue Committee, an AdHoc committee created by Mayor Randy Sparacino, is recommending the Council address this deficit by raising the Public Safety utility fee by $1.00 to maintain the current level of emergency services.

To expand public safety services and address emergency service staffing deficiencies, as identified in the department strategic plans and recommended by level of service studies, the Public Safety Utility Fee would need to increase by $1.98 per year for six years.

“The demand for emergency services continues to rise. A public safety fee increase would allow both of our departments to expand staffing in vital areas of need and ensure emergency response services for the community,” said Ivens and Thompson.

Council will consider four options to increase the public safety utility fee: $1.87 (for 27 public safety personnel), $1.98 (for 29 public safety personnel), $2.87 (for 27 public safety personnel and a recommended increase from the Revenue Committee), or $2.98 (including 29 public safety personnel and a recommended increase from the Revenue Committee.