Public safety will take center stage Thursday evening as the Auburn City Council gathers for its April 10 work session at Memorial City Hall. The meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m., will include budget presentations from the Auburn Police Department, Fire Department, and City Ambulance.
Police Chief Matthew Androsko will lead off with a comprehensive breakdown of the department’s 2025–2026 budget. The proposed spending plan totals just over $9.8 million, marking a $1 million increase from the current year. The bulk of the increase is attributed to rising salary and equipment costs, with $7.6 million earmarked for wages and nearly $580,000 for new vehicles and services.
The presentation highlights several strategic priorities for the coming year, including a new Public Information Officer unit, expanded use of evidence-based policing, and greater community engagement. The department is also pursuing grant funding to replace outdated police radios at an estimated cost of $640,000–$700,000.
While the number of calls for service decreased slightly year-over-year—from 29,820 in 2023 to 28,928 in 2024—the presentation notes persistent public safety challenges. These include a shortage of experienced patrol officers, with nearly 75% of the force having less than seven years on the job, and increasing demands on mental health and overdose response services.
The Fire Department and City Ambulance budget presentations, which will be delivered by Fire Chief Mark Fritz and Ambulance Director Kezia Sullivan, had not been released as of Wednesday, but are expected to outline operational needs and capital requests for the upcoming fiscal year.
In addition to the work session, the Council will conduct routine business including approval of meeting minutes and reports from the city manager and council members. A portion of the meeting will also be reserved for public comment.
The session will be live-streamed on the city’s Channel A website at auburnny.gov/Channel-A.
The April 10 work session marks a key step in the city’s annual budget process, offering residents and council members alike an opportunity to engage with department leaders on public safety priorities and fiscal planning.
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