(The Center Square) – Severe proposed budget cuts threatening local public safety staffing have ignited mounting outrage among Pasco community members, who are demanding city leaders explore alternative spending solutions before slashing essential emergency services.
As Pasco considers nearly $14.4 million in General Fund reductions for its preliminary 2027-2028 biennial budget, residents are expressing deep concern over a scenario that would eliminate 22 police positions and 15 firefighter jobs. The potential rollbacks could force the closure of a local fire station and strip a critical engine and medic unit from daily service.
Taxpayers and local families insist that first responders provide vital community support well beyond basic emergency calls, making public safety reductions an unacceptable option.
A meeting last week saw hundreds of community members in attendance, with many speaking put against the cuts.
Resident Ehlaina Johnson told The Center Square following the meeting how local first responders helped her family access specialized emergency medical training to care for her medically complex son, even contributing their own personal funds to build him a custom 3D-printed mobility device.
“To say these men and women are heroes does not even begin to scratch the surface,” Johnson said, urging municipal leaders to examine all other areas of spending before trimming emergency services.
Other community members echoed concerns over public safety infrastructure and long-term investments. Chris Hopkins questioned the logic of abandoning the significant financial investments previously made to recruit, equip, and train emergency personnel, warning that service cuts will directly impact response times and neighborhood protection.
“Find another way to resolve your financial issues,” Hopkins said in an interview with The Center Square.
Resident Keri Allen argued that Pasco’s ongoing growth requires expanding emergency capacity rather than shrinking it.
“The city needs to get their spending in check,” Allen told The Center Square.
Municipal officials face a growing structural deficit driven by operating expenses rising faster than recurring tax revenues. According to data shared by the city, Pasco receives about $500 to $570 from a typical home’s annual property tax bill to fund city services, with over 75% of property taxes redirected to local school districts and state funds.
City staff proposed a 1% property tax levy increase for 2027, but that measure would yield roughly $152,500, only a fraction of the necessary $14.4 million in reductions.
City leaders weigh revenue options, spending reviews
In response to the public outcry, Pasco City Councilman Leo Perales called the proposed public safety layoffs a “non-starter” and advocated for a comprehensive, line-by-line review of municipal expenditures.
“The community showed up and a lot of people think they were only police and firefighters, yes they were there but it was a community effort,” Perales said, describing the turnout at a recent council meeting as unprecedented. “I will not entertain a proposed budget where we cut police, fire and our EMS.”
Perales argued that the city must evaluate how emergency personnel are deployed, work directly with first responder unions, and consider raising revenues through tax increases if necessary.
“Ultimately we need to look to raise taxes,” Perales said, acknowledging that while higher taxes are unpopular among residents facing elevated living costs, “desperate times call for desperate measures.”
Perales also questioned past fiscal decisions, including why the city prioritized a transportation sales tax over a dedicated public safety sales tax, and noted he voted against the 2025-2026 budget due to long-term financial concerns. He urged city staff to present a simplified, line-by-line spending plan to help officials identify non-essential expenditures.
Mayor Charles Grimm indicated city leaders are examining various strategies to balance the budget while meeting public expectations. Grimm met with executive and finance teams to review budget details and determine sustainable solutions.
“In the same way that we are in this situation for a cornucopia of reasons, it will likely take a combination of cuts, revenue, and outside the box thinking to solve this dilemma,” Grimm said, noting that consensus building among council members remains ongoing and a final decision likely will not occur until the end of the year.
The preliminary budget currently contains multiple scenarios, ranging from zero reserve usage with full position eliminations to partial reserve drawdowns that still leave public safety positions unfunded.
No final decisions on police or fire staffing have been made. Public budget hearings are scheduled for Nov. 2 and Nov. 16, where community members can submit feedback before the city council votes on the finalized budget.