Live Oak staff presented a proposed FY2026-27 budget that would cut contracted fire and police services by about 40%, setting off warnings from residents and a firefighters union representative that the reductions could increase response times and put people at risk.
Finance Director Ethan Gutierrez told the council the city is still facing structural deficits in several funds, including the general fund, even after staffing changes, reduced contracts and one-time revenues lowered the projected shortfall. According to the meeting summary, he said the proposal includes about a 40% reduction in contracted fire and police services and that staff are also weighing a possible countywide revenue measure and longer-term options involving the city’s water and sewer systems.
Public comment focused heavily on the fire-service proposal. Residents Andrew Robinson and Jack Copeland, along with City County Professional Firefighters Union Local 5032 President Brandon McRennelts, spoke against the cuts and warned they could lengthen emergency response times and endanger lives, according to the meeting transcript and summary.
The budget discussion came at the same meeting where council members also adopted the city’s 2021-2029 housing element update and approved a CEQA exemption for that planning document. But the public-safety cuts emerged as the most immediate flashpoint in the budget portion of the meeting, with staff and council members describing the city’s financial pressure and the expiration of the SAFER grant that had previously helped support fire staffing.
The council did not appear to take a final vote on the proposed budget at the June 3 meeting, based on the materials provided.
