Santa Rosa City Council Budget Study Session – May 7, 2025

The City Council continued its two-day study session on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The meeting began at 9:01 a.m., recessed for lunch at 12:54 p.m., reconvened at 1:21 p.m., and adjourned at 5:23 p.m. Council heard presentations from the Fire, Police, Planning & Economic Development, Recreation & Parks, Transportation & Public Works, and Santa Rosa Water departments, followed by public comment and a final discussion on a revised budget reduction package.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fire Department: Multiple speakers from Local 1401 and community members (Sam Hoel, Carl Carr, Stephan Dalporto, Iris Harrell, Christel Antone, Sam Crenshaw, Jessie Taintor, James Geissinger, Doug Lyons, John Holt, Brittany Ernst) opposed any brownout or blackout, arguing that even temporary station closures would delay emergency response and endanger lives. Several cited the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the recent Los Angeles fires as examples of why staffing must be maintained.
• Police Department: Matt North (SRPD Lieutenant), Christopher Mahurin, Patrice Seffens, Brenda Harrington, Sgt. White, Brian Fix (SRPOA), and Garrison Swartz opposed cuts to sworn positions, especially the proposed elimination of a lieutenant position, warning of increased liability and reduced oversight. Speakers also urged funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) and retention of the downtown enforcement team.
• Other Public Safety: Michael Hilber supported budget reductions and fiscal discipline. Jennifer Holmes (Catholic Charities) acknowledged the need for cuts but asked for alternative consideration for the drop-in center and HOST program.
• Community Services: Renee Rosetti (YWCA) opposed elimination of Safe House funding; Juan Torres (Sonoma C.A.N.) opposed cuts to the Seasons of Sharing program; Patrick McDonell (Legal Aid) warned of increased homelessness without upstream legal services.
• Parks & Recreation: Joel Stras opposed closure of Ridgway Swim Center, highlighting its importance for swim lessons, Special Olympics, and summer camps.
• Labor/Process: Matt Finnegan (Teamsters) and Carl Carr (Operating Engineers) argued the city’s projections are too pessimistic and urged the council to slow down and use actual financial data rather than forecasts.

Discussion Items

• Fire Department (Chief Scott Westrope): Presented the proposed budget and operational highlights. Council discussed alternatives to a ladder truck blackout or brownout. After collaboration with the union, the department offered a 1.227 million reduction alternative: eliminating a deputy chief position, two vacant firefighter positions, two civilian positions (deputy emergency manager and administrative secretary), and additional services/supplies cuts. Council members expressed strong opposition to any brownout or blackout.
• Police Department (Chief John Cregan): Presented the budget and operational statistics—117,000 calls, 390 illegal guns seized, two homicides in 2024 (down 80%). The proposed cuts included eliminating a lieutenant, one sergeant, eight police officers, and four civilian positions. Multiple council members voiced concern about the lieutenant cut, citing accountability and liability. Chief Cregan indicated he would work with labor to find alternative savings, possibly by reducing a specialty team (gangs, narcotics, or special enforcement).
• Planning & Economic Development (Gabe Osburn): The department proposed cuts including an assistant chief building official, a code enforcement officer, and an administrative secretary. Council asked about fee recovery and possible efficiencies.
• Recreation & Parks (Donte Watson): Presented a balanced budget with a 366,000 reduction through fee increases and staff adjustments; no facilities would close. Council supported the proposal.
• Transportation & Public Works (Dan Hennessey): Highlighted increased capital project delivery and a commitment to pavement maintenance. Council thanked staff.
• Santa Rosa Water (Jennifer Burke): Presented a 278-FTE budget that returns to normal CIP funding after last year’s reduction. Council noted the utility’s complex regional role.
• Finance Update (Veronica Conner): Presented revised reduction options reflecting council direction from May 6, including fire department alternatives, homeless service adjustments, and recreation fee increases.

Key Outcomes

• Fire Department: Council gave direction to not implement a brownout or blackout. Instead, they approved the alternative 1.227 million reduction package agreed to by the fire chief and union, contingent on meet-and-confer with affected bargaining units (including Teamsters).
• Police Department: Council accepted all proposed sworn and civilian cuts except the lieutenant position. Staff were directed to explore alternative ways to achieve the same savings, such as eliminating a specialty team or through attrition.
• Homeless Services: Council approved the revised package that restores 50,000 for the drop-in center, reduces Sam Jones Hall funding, and reduces HOST contract savings, with Catholic Charities absorbing the warming center.
• Recreation & Parks: Council approved the proposed reductions (366,000) including fee increases and elimination of three positions, with a commitment to no facility closures.
• Other Reductions: Council supported the remaining cuts from the May 6 discussion (including non-departmental and administrative items) as modified, and removed furloughs from consideration.
• Ongoing Process: The council stressed that this is not a final decision; meet-and-confer sessions will occur before the June 1 draft budget and final adoption on June 17. Council also requested further analysis of outside contracts and potential revenue measures (e.g., sales tax, grant advocacy).

Note: Council Member MacDonald recused from Recreation & Parks discussion. Council Member Rogers recused from Seasons of Sharing discussion.