Council hears plan to add 15 staff in FY2027, 9 public‑works hires funded by Metro transfer

City staff said the FY2027 draft budget includes 15 new full‑time positions, with 10 assigned to public works and nine of those funded by the Metro transfer. "The goal here is for public works to move away from contracting out striping services and concrete services and build the capacity so that we can do that work in house," Bertha said.

Staff noted department distribution: about 31% of full‑time positions are in police, 22% in fire and rescue, and roughly 10% in public works. Specific requested positions included a detention officer for police, an emergency‑medical supervisor for fire, two striping positions and crew additions and a CIP manager in public works, plus a cybersecurity position in Innovation & Technology and conversions in human resources. Bertha said nine of the public‑works positions will be funded through Metro revenue transfers and therefore will appear as a transfer into the general fund rather than ongoing property‑tax‑supported increases.

Council members asked how vacant‑position savings are handled and whether Metro funding is sustainable. Alan Bogart said vacant‑position dollars typically fall to the bottom line unless used for interim help or overtime, and staff will continue to reserve those dollars for their originally budgeted purposes or for onetime uses.