City Council Committee Agendas

Public Safety Committee Minutes June 4, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Councilmember Tercero called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present Mayor Donovan Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, and Tercero Staff: Fire Chief Harris, Police Chief Christman, Finance Director Volesky, Special Projects Manager Sexton, City Attorney Rogerson, City Clerk Jensen, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, Police Lieutenant Moore Citizens: 10 1. Approval of May 7, 2025 Minutes Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the May 7, 2025 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion carried 5-0. 2. Fire a. Updates - Medical Unit, Grant Award: The department received an HB1168 grant in the amount of $14,905 to be used to purchase tools, a portable pump kit, and a Smokey Bear Fire Danger sign. A new medical unit is now in services at Fire Station 3. b. SAFER Grant Application: Mr. Harris discussed current staffing, staffing requirements, and overtime. Impacts to vulnerable population, response times and capability were also addressed. Two hiring options were presented: Option 1- Hire six new positions (3 Firefighters, 2 Firefighter Paramedics); Option 2 - Hire nine new positions (6 Firefighters, 3 Firefighter Paramedics). Option 1 would make is less likely that the City would receive a SAFER grant because the Option 2 would meet the IAFF 17/10 staffing guidelines. In addition to the grant, a Parks and Public Safety Property Tax Levy Lift would provide funds for capital purchases and the EMS Levy contract increases approximately $600K over the next five Public Safety Committee June 4, 2025 Page 2 of 3 years. These additional funds will help offset the added costs of the new positions when the grant funding expires after three years. c. Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Update: Mr. Harris reported that he and Mayor Donovan met with the Burlington Mayor and Fire Chief about the possibility of a partnership of the cities and Skagit County Fire District #1 to form an RFA. The next step is to hire a consultant to complete an RFA fiscal analysis. The cost of the consultant would be shared by Mount Vernon, Burlington, and Fire District #1. Police a. Mr. Christman reviewed current staffing, the ratio of officers to residents, and the effect on Police services. Minimum staffing, requirements and the impacts to traffic patrol, public education, priority policing, special operations, and command staff were presented. A proposed plan to hire three additional offices over the next three years, including hiring time, and costs were discussed. 3. Administration a. Proposed Public Defense Caseload Standards and Budgetary Impact: Mr. Sexton shared the Washington State Bar Association’s Washington State Public Defense Caseload Standards Phased Implementation Plan. The plan includes a required number of public defenders per cases, and the addition of investigators and mitigation specialists, and office space. The City currently pays $562,620 annually for public defense services. The requirements, if approved by the Supreme Court, would increase the City’s financial obligation to an estimated $2.7M annually by 2028. 4. Finance a. 2026 Funding Options Mr. Volesky reviewed historical data on budget, revenues, expenses, and fund reserves. Grant opportunities, including SAFER (Fire) COPPS (Police), and various Development Services grants could assist with budgetary shortfalls. City rate and fee schedules will be evaluated annually. The following tax-based revenue opportunities were discussed.  Property Tax Levy Lid Lift: This voter approved property tax levy would provide funds for Parks and Public Safety. Council will need to determine a levy amount. Staff will be required to create a 6-year plan and submit documentation to Skagit County for the levy to be placed on the fall ballot. Ms. Berner discussed the needs of City Parks, addressing staffing, budget cuts, and equipment. Green space is vital to city residents so parks must be maintained to provide safe places for the community to recreate. Council agreed to allow Public Safety Committee June 4, 2025 Page 3 of 3 staff to begin developing a six-year plan to move forward with getting it on the ballot.  B&O Tax – A B&O tax would be assessed to businesses grossing a certain annual amount, such as 1M per year. City staff would have to track, bill, and collect the tax.  Sales tax authorization - HB2015 authorizes cities to assess a 0.1% sales tax for criminal justice support. This would yield an estimated $1.2M annually and may be used to offset upcoming public defense mandates. This is implemented without voter action. The city may only impose the tax if it qualifies for the Local Law Enforcement Grant Program. Mr. Christman reviewed the mandatory criteria used to qualify for the program and identified where the department is with each item. Staff will continue to bring forward information about each of the revenue generating options. b. Stokely Tower: Mr. Volesky explained that the repainting project was to be ARPA funded, however the Mayor redirected the funds to existing contracts, which created general fund savings of $522,673. The following options for use of the savings were reviewed:  Option 1 – Proceed with the project  Option 2 – Build financial reserves  Option 3a – Renovate the old library building and sell Public Works building  Option3b - Renovate old library building and convert the current Public Works building into rental property Staff recommends Option 3b. Council briefly discussed the options, then directed staff to move forward with Option3b. 4. Agenda Requests  none Miscellaneous:  none The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk