Police and fire outline vehicle, staffing and equipment plans amid tight budget

Police and fire leaders presented department‑level budget details and operational needs during the Punta Gorda FY2027 workshop, emphasizing tradeoffs between staffing, equipment and rising costs.

Police: Chief Pam Smith said the police operating budget shows a 3.2% decrease, driven in part by cuts to the motor team and the department bike unit. The department expects continued costs for accreditation, testing, vehicle maintenance and a body/in‑car camera contract. Staff reported a COPS grant totaling $500,000 to fund four officers over three years; FY27 would be the grant’s final city fiscal year. The department continues a multi‑year vehicle replacement plan (six vehicles per year currently) but has extended vehicle life to manage costs. Chief Smith said the department is planning to add one civilian administrative/training position in FY28 to support recruitment, retention and training tasks.

Fire: Fire Chief Holding Gibbs described staffing pressures from retirements and increased unscheduled overtime that have driven operating costs. The department reported a 5.3% reduction in operating expenses overall but flagged several targeted increases: a $10,000 rise in apparatus servicing, higher radio fees to Charlotte County, and substantial new costs to replace turnout gear that the department said contains per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Staff estimated a one‑time cost of about $230,000 to replace PPE and about $46,000 annually thereafter for staged replacements. Fire also proposed an emergency‑response pickup outfitted for medical calls — staff estimated about $178,000 including vehicle and specialized medical equipment — and a phased staffing plan tied to a SAFER grant to add personnel in 2027–2028.

Both chiefs emphasized operational reasons for equipment choices: higher, more rugged vehicles are intended to maintain access during flooding and storms; smaller emergency‑response vehicles can reduce wear on full engines for primarily medical calls and lower fuel and maintenance costs. Neither department presented a formal vote; councilors and staff discussed funding options including use of reserves, MSBUs, or fee adjustments.

Why it matters: public safety capacity and response depend on staffing and vehicle choices. The city’s approach mixes operational cuts, targeted capital purchases and grant‑funded positions to balance near‑term constraints with service needs.