Residents urge council to restore fire reserves and youth programs as budget cuts bite; council shifts to priority-based budgeting

At the March 10 meeting several residents urged the Pullman City Council to reconsider current and proposed budget cuts that affect emergency-response reserves and youth programs.

Walter Shepherd, a Pullman resident of nearly 30 years, said the planned cut to the Pullman fire reserve program removes a resource that fills vacancies and provides EMT and firefighting coverage. "Without the reserve program, our city is gonna have to rely on career firefighters pulling overtime… NFPA 1710 states that the minimum staffing standard for structure fire is 15. Pullman fire staffs 8," Shepherd said, arguing the reserve program keeps operations affordable and safe.

Lucas Olson spoke on behalf of the Barracudas youth swim team, said the program was canceled because of budget cuts and noted 66 children participated last year. Olson suggested options including seeking sponsors, shortening practice times and relying on trained parent volunteers to reduce lifeguard and coaching costs.

Council members thanked the speakers, acknowledged community frustration and emphasized the limits of the current budget. Council member Fujairan said the city is shifting to a priority-based budgeting process for the upcoming budget cycle so community-identified goals will frame funding decisions going forward. The change, Fujairan said, will not immediately reverse this year's cuts but aims to align future budgets with community priorities.

No formal reversal of cuts or immediate funding reallocation was made at the meeting; council members invited continued community input and proposed reviewing budget impacts as priority-based budgeting is implemented.