Alexandria City Council Budget Work Session on Safe, Secure, and Just Departments – March 13, 2026

The third budget work session of the Alexandria City Council was held on March 13, 2026, starting at 7:01 PM. The focus was on departments under the "safe, secure, and just" bucket. No public testimony was taken during this session; the public was invited to submit comments or testify at the budget public hearing on Saturday, March 14.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was taken. The mayor announced that written comments are accepted and oral testimony can be given at the public hearing on March 14.

Discussion Items

Police Department

• Chief presented three recommended reductions: adjustment of the security contract at the police station front desk, reduction in parking enforcement officers (contractual), and the collective bargaining agreement supported by eliminating nine vacant law enforcement positions (reducing authorized sworn force from 322 to 313). The officer-to-resident ratio at 313 would be 1.97, still above the average of 1.61.
• Vice Mayor Bagley asked about remaining vacancies (yes, some remain), the impact on the chief’s planned restructuring, and the working relationship with the Office of the Independent Policing Auditor. The chief stated the relationship is working as expected with some bumps corrected at the executive level.
• Councilwoman Green queried the security contract adjustments (two armed officers at front desk, 24/7, with role to screen visitors). The chief noted the front desk closes at certain times and that officers can manage with reduced contract.
• Councilman Gary asked about combining the security contract with ACPS (Alexandria City Public Schools) for savings; the city manager noted a similar request by Councilman Chapman is already in the memo queue.
• Councilman Gary also asked about the 32% decrease in capital goods outlay (about $1M savings). Director Route explained it is cyclical due to vehicle replacement schedules.
• Councilman Gary questioned the increase in Office of the Chief budget from $4M to $6M. The chief attributed it to restructuring of the police department, including expansion of some units.
• Councilman Chapman requested a memo on the security contract evaluation across city buildings, including potential savings and additions.
• Councilman Chapman asked about the current number of officers (about 290-292) and the difficulty of comparing real-time staffing with other departments. The chief noted that some comparable departments are down about 100 officers.
• Councilman Chapman inquired about state legislation on mental health crisis response (TDO) and whether it passed. The city manager committed to finding out and, if passed, assessing budget implications for police or DCHS.
• Councilman El Nubi asked about the A Corp program (3 officers and 3 support from DCHS) and whether it covers all hours. The chief said it covers certain hours supporting data. Councilman El Nubi requested a memo on the cost to expand to uncovered hours and related data.
• Councilman Chapman noted a decline in A Corp calls from 596 in 2023 to 404 in 2024 and asked for attribution. The chief cited both call response and preventative work; the mayor asked for details on programs driving the decrease.
• Councilwoman Green asked about crossing guard vacancies (14 of 27 positions vacant supported by contract). Deputy City Manager Lambert noted the contract helps fill posts. Councilman Chapman requested a deeper analysis of cost and trends of the contract.
• Councilman Gary asked about the outreach team after Officer Benny Evans' retirement. The chief described a shift to geographically based crime prevention officers.

Emergency and Customer Communications (DEC)

• Director Gordon presented three areas: hiring bonuses ($10,000 with incremental milestones), training pay increase, and elimination of a vacant position. The department lost three FTEs to tech companies in January and one more resignation that morning.
• Vice Mayor Bagley asked about retention tools, career pathways, and remote work policy. The assistant director noted the department has a career ladder and a remote program competitive with other jurisdictions.
• Councilman Gary asked about technology needs. Director Gordon said the department is falling behind, especially with phone systems. Councilman Gary requested a memo on technology needs, including available CIP funding for 911 and CAD systems.
• Councilman Gary asked about language services. Director Gordon said two language lines are used and metrics can be provided.
• Councilwoman Green asked about the elimination of an HR position. Director Gordon said other staff are trained to handle HR functions.
• Councilman Chapman requested a breakdown of technology needs, including data-tracking capabilities for council requests.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

• Chief Judge Sherlock described dated technology, with limited remote hearing capabilities. The court has been accepted into a pilot program for virtual court, with equipment being delivered. He emphasized the need for improvements to enhance access to justice and trauma-informed practices.
• Vice Mayor Bagley requested a memo on technology needs and costs, including coordination with the detention center.
• Councilman Chapman asked about technology needs in the detention center and shelter care for remote appearances. Judge Sherlock noted the existing room at the detention center is inadequate (noisy, distracted). He also mentioned that the court’s caseload was about 4,100 last year and may increase due to legislation.
• Councilman Aguirre asked about state-level advocacy for funding. Judge Sherlock said he cannot comment on pending legislation but will provide information after July 1.
• Councilman El Nubi asked about state vs. city funding split. Judge Sherlock explained the vast majority is state-funded, with the city providing a 15% supplement for seven clerks. Councilman El Nubi requested clarification on the formula.

Office of the Independent Policing Auditor

• Director Kamara presented a 1% reduction of $6,200 from the operational budget. The office has a vacant position (investigator) and is working on hiring. She noted a supplemental request for a part-time community liaison position ($29,640) that was not funded, even though the office offered to self-fund through reductions.
• Councilwoman Green asked about the delay in hiring. Director Kamara said the goal is to have someone by end of summer, subject to HR timeline.
• Councilman Chapman asked about the community liaison position. Director Kamara described the need for consistent community presence, noting that she currently handles event setup alone. The mayor requested a memo on the cost of the position.
• Vice Mayor Bagley suggested exploring alignment with other part-time positions across departments. The city manager agreed to consider it.
• Councilman Chapman asked about outside counsel costs (budgeted at $5,000). Director Kamara said the first public hearing likely will exceed that cap, and she will notify council if so.

Sheriff's Office

• Sheriff Casey presented a reduction of one vacant deputy sheriff position. The office has seven vacancies, filled through overtime and part-time staff. He emphasized that every dollar goes to constitutionally mandated responsibilities.
• Councilman El Nubi noted an increase of five FTEs in detention center security on page 14.7. The sheriff explained it is due to a realignment of bureaus.
• Councilman El Nubi asked about cost per inmate. The sheriff provided jail cost report data: $255 per day at rated capacity (340 beds), but actual daily average is 255. City share is 57.92% ($18.3M). Councilman El Nubi questioned the efficiency of being far from capacity and requested a memo on options to either reach full capacity or reduce to 150 inmates.
• Councilman El Nubi asked about the cost to house inmates elsewhere. The sheriff noted that Fairfax pays $85/day for inmates they send.
• Vice Mayor Bagley asked about the cost structure for meals and medical contracts (sliding scale). The sheriff confirmed it is not fixed.
• Councilman Aguirre requested a year-over-year breakdown of daily average inmates by federal and local.
• Councilman Chapman asked about the cost of outside counsel for FOIA requests (estimated under $10,000 since last January) and requested exact numbers.
• Councilman Chapman asked about proposed cuts that were not taken (on-site meals for deputies, medical contract reduction). The sheriff explained the meals are a benefit, and the medical contract efficiency is needed to fund continuing services.
• Councilman Chapman asked about the seven deputy vacancies and the cost of using part-time staff vs. full-time. The sheriff said overtime is more expensive and part-time is slightly less, but multiple part-timers are needed to cover 40 hours. He requested a breakdown of part-time hires.
• Councilman Chapman asked for a list of programs not legally mandated (e.g., GED, re-entry counselor). The sheriff agreed to provide it.
• Vice Mayor Bagley asked about performance indicators. The sheriff mentioned metrics like in-custody deaths, assaults, grievances, and transport safety. He said a productivity report can be shared.
• Councilwoman Green asked about inmate fees revenue (about $270,000-$280,000 annually) used for programming. The sheriff noted fees are dropping due to FCC changes.
• Councilman Chapman requested that the jail cost report and staffing study be automatically sent to council when available, and asked for an update on the MOU with the sheriff's office (still being worked on; no timeline).

Fire Department

• Chief Hernandez presented collective bargaining wage adjustments, four additional FTEs for the 46-hour work week (starting January), two emergency management positions (previously grant-funded), promotional exams, and an EMS language line ($11,995). Reductions include overtime savings due to being fully staffed and schedule changes.
• Councilman Gary asked about the language line (used for on-scene calls, not 911).
• Councilman El Nubi noted a $356,000 decrease in non-fiscal year grants (UASI grants for emergency management positions).
• Councilman El Nubi asked about battalion chief pay parity. The city manager said a meet and confer is scheduled, and adjustments may be made using year-end savings.
• Councilwoman Green asked how long the department has been fully staffed (about one month since recruits graduated). She also asked about the four additional FTEs (firefighter positions for relief factor).
• The mayor commended the chief for reaching full staffing, which is rare in the region.

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and Shelter Care

• Representative for the detention center presented a $55,292 reduction absorbed by per diem income from DJJ. The center is undergoing a renovation to remove concrete slab beds (first in state) and plans a $1M control center upgrade. Councilman Chapman asked about technology needs for court appearances; the representative said it can be tied to the control center upgrade.
• Councilwoman Green asked about vacancies (13.5 FTEs) and current population (90% of 46 funded beds, with 9 from Alexandria). The representative noted a contract with Portsmouth and DJJ.
• Vice Mayor Bagley asked about the renovation timeline (expected completion by summer).
• Councilman Chapman asked about gang prevention work; the representative noted trafficking and exploitation are driving female population increases, and they work with DCHS.
• Shelter care representative noted a deficit of $180,000, with revenues from Arlington per diem ($150K) and other sources. She highlighted the 24/7 emergency placement service, serving 94 kids in 2025 (up from 16 in 2021). There is a waiting list for female beds and for the after-school program (14 youth on waitlist). Councilman Chapman requested a memo on the cost to clear the after-school program waitlist.
• Councilwoman Green asked about facility upgrades; the representative said money is in the budget and CIP.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. Council members requested multiple budget memos for further analysis, including:
  • Security contract evaluation across city buildings (Police).
  • Cost and data to expand A Corp hours (Police).
  • Crossing guard vacancy analysis and contract trends (Police).
  • DEC technology needs and costs (DEC).
  • Court and detention center technology needs and costs (JDR Court).
  • OPA part-time community liaison position cost (OPA).
  • Sheriff’s office cost per inmate, options for reaching capacity or reducing, year-over-year population data, outside counsel costs, and list of non-mandated programs (Sheriff).
  • Fire department battalion chief pay parity (Fire).
  • Cost to clear waiting list for shelter care after-school program (Shelter Care).
• The public hearing for the budget is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026.
• The next work sessions will be on Monday and Wednesday of the following week.