Page 29 - FY 2026-2027 Adopted Budget Book

Workforce Investment

The City recognizes that exceptional municipal services depend upon exceptional employees. The City
recognizes that attracting and retaining talented employees remains one of the most significant challenges
facing local governments nationwide.

The FY 2026–2027 Budget continues Bedford's commitment to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly
qualified workforce through competitive compensation, professional development, and investments in
technology that improve employee productivity and customer service. Several departments were able to
restructure their departments to meet current needs with some associated savings.

Due to the tight nature of the proposed budget, out-of-state travel was removed from the proposed budget with
departments encouraged to find more affordable online or in-state alternatives.

The budget includes an increase in Health Insurance premiums, which is shared between the City and the
employee.

Compensation for our existing employees has been split into two components to maximize benefit to the
employees, while also ensuring that revenues are sufficient to afford the plan. Beginning October 1, the City is
implementing a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all employees. Additionally, funding is included for
compression and grade movement, and a vacation buy-back program. The City will continue to fund the Public
Safety Step Plan.

Major Initiatives

Public Safety Investment
The largest new non-personnel recurring expense funds the Axon technology system for the police
department. The Axon package includes 90 body camera devices, 30 in-car cameras, 81 TASER-10 electronic
control devices, the system cradle points, two interview rooms, user licenses, back-office system, mounting
accessories, and the installation of all the hardware equipment. Additionally, this package includes unlimited
auto-transcribe, foreign language translation, and draft one AI assisted report writing tool, all of which will
make officers more efficient in documentation of recorded incidents. The 30 in-car cameras are equipped with
automatic license plate reader technology, and the package further includes nine Axon outpost automatic
license plate reader cameras and Axon Fusus software with 150 available camera streams. Additionally, there
is increased funding in the budget to match inflationary pressure on rifle rated body armor as well as one-time
funding for six (6) new police vehicles.

The fire department continues year two of the Stryker lease program, which provides a comprehensive
replacement and service plan that ensures long-term equipment reliability, financial predictability, and
uninterrupted delivery of advanced patient care. Additionally, the budget funds one-time purchases of personal
protective equipment.

Neighborhood Revitalization
The city has identified several properties in the city that are substandard. While code enforcement has actively
engaged with the properties for improvements, further action is needed. The budget includes one-time funding
for legal action to ensure these properties are not a nuisance to their neighbors.

Digital Accessibility and Transparency
The city is making both continued and one-time investments to gain compliance with new digital accessibility
laws. These improvements will help citizens of all abilities access the information on the city’s website and
communications.

FY 2026-2027 Adopted Budget Book · September 15, 2026 25