Emergency preparedness seeks $25,000 for siren maintenance, reports $250,000 in grants and pending $6.2M COVID reimbursement

Samantha Morris, chief of emergency operations, presented the emergency preparedness portion of the city manager’s FY2025–26 budget and described operations, grants and planned maintenance.

Morris told council the division had been awarded about $250,000 in grants, and that portion included a reimbursement of 50% of salary and benefits for 2.5 positions. She said the department has also applied for a pending $6.2 million COVID reimbursement grant.

Siren maintenance and automated warnings: Morris reported the department has fully implemented remote‑activated and automated outdoor warning sirens and proposed a $25,000 budget package specifically for siren maintenance. “This is one of those situations where it’s not really a choice. We have to be able to maintain those and keep those up and running,” she said. Staff told council they will report additional technical details about siren counts and status in an upcoming presentation.

Volunteers and training: Morris highlighted the Medical Reserve Corps and volunteer base that supports shelter and medical needs during events; she said the department has completed more than 3,000 hours of training and participated in regional and state exercises. The department’s current staff chart includes two full‑time employees, a vacant assistant emergency manager position and a part‑time admin role that recently retired; Morris said additional hires are included in the proposed FY2026 FTE count tied to the new community and emergency services department.

Budget note: The $25,000 siren maintenance package is presented as a budget packet for FY2025–26. No council vote was taken during the study session; staff will include the package in the formal budget hearings.

Ending: Morris said the department will provide a detailed briefing on siren status and the weather polygraph used for activation in a forthcoming meeting; staffing and maintenance packages will be considered during the formal budget adoption process.