City Council hears about critical staffing and pay needs for police and firefighters
On the day the chief financial officer gave Wichita Falls City Council members a snapshot of budget projections for the coming year, representatives of the police and fire associations made pleas for more personnel and more money.
Most of the city’s revenue comes from property taxes or sales taxes.
CFO Stephen Calvert said property tax revenue is controlled by complicated state-ordered rules that limit how much the city can raise tax rates without a public vote.
How much residents pay in property taxes is also dependent on property appraisals, which are also restricted by state rules. In recent years, the city has been able to lower its property tax rate but still get more revenue because property values have increased.
Calvert also projected sales tax revenue will be flat during the next budget period.
At present, no figures have been plugged into a proposed budget.
Related to revenue, Al Vitolo, president of the Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association, told councilors the fire department needs more personnel.
In addition to needing a couple of key positions filled, Vitolo said the department is understaffed for actual firefighting.
“I am unapologetic about asking for extra staff. The national standard is four men per unit. We run three,” he said.
He said the department has seen a steady increase in the number of calls — over 14,000 in 2023.
“We have seen no increase in staffing,” Vitolo said
He also said the Fire Marshal’s Office is overwhelmed.
“They do not have the staff to accomplish the required tasks,” he said.
Steve Ginger, president of the Wichita Falls Police Officers Association, spoke again to the councilors, reiterating his department’s concerns.
At a May 7 meeting, Ginger said the local police academy that produces new officers is getting fewer applicants, and larger cities are luring potential officers away from Wichita Falls. He warned that if something didn't change, services might have to be reduced.
“The problem we’re having is that nobody is applying,” Ginger said Tuesday.
Councilor Tom Taylor said the needs of the police and fire departments are critical and suggested the council might entertain the idea of a “little bit perhaps of tax increase.”
Another City Council member expressed his concerns.
“What those guys are talking about is safety — safety for our community,” Councilor Bobby Whiteley said. “What they’re talking about is being able to recruit and retain and do a job that keeps our community safe. They are not just talking about themselves.”
The council will tackle the 2024-2025 budget during the summer to have it ready for a final vote in September.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City Council hears critical staffing, pay needs from police and fire
