Public Safety Committee recommends 2027 capital budgets for fire, EMS, police and dispatch

The Public Safety Committee on June 24 recommended that the City Council consider a package of 2027 capital projects for the fire, EMS, police and dispatch departments.

Fire Chief McMullen presented the fire portion of the capital plan, highlighting a multi-year portable radio replacement (roughly 40 hand-portable units that age out after about seven years) and an application to a regional AFG grant led by Mount Horeb that would reduce the city’s share to about $8,000 if awarded. He said the department shifted a 2012 car replacement from 2028 into 2027 to smooth capital demands and that annual PPE replacements should cost roughly $3,300 per set after competitive bidding, down from about $3,600.

On EMS, Chief McMullen described moving a remounted ambulance earlier in the schedule to spread costs. He said remounting the 2012 ambulance will reuse the patient compartment and is expected to save about $100,000 versus full replacement; the department also listed lift/cot equipment as a major near-term cost (approximately $75,000 now, rising to roughly $83,000 next year). McMullen noted a Lucas 3 device purchase will be funded from state EMS revenue rather than GO debt.

Police Chief Brian reviewed law enforcement capital requests including two squad replacements to maintain a five-year rotation (one fully outfitted administrative vehicle and one patrol car to replace failing hybrid units), portable radio replacements (Motorola radios cited for penetration and durability; the request covers a set on schedule), and a taser replacement because the manufacturer is ending software updates for older units. For 2028 the department discussed an armored-rescue option and a lower-profile alternative of armoring a standard pickup truck, with the consultant’s rule-of-thumb cost roughly double the purchase price when outfitting and labor are included.

Dispatch staff asked to replace a 15–16-year-old event/tape recorder system that retains radio and phone records for retention compliance.

For each department the committee asked clarifying questions and then moved to recommend the 2027 capital requests to the council by voice vote.

What happens next: The committee’s recommendations will be transmitted to the City Council for formal consideration as part of the upcoming budget cycle. The council will have the final authority to adopt, modify or reject the proposed projects.

Vote at a glance: The committee recorded voice votes recommending the fire, EMS, law enforcement and dispatch capital items to council (motions and roll calls were by voice and recorded as passed in the meeting transcript).