Title
Consider an ordinance to amend the number of authorized civil service positions for the Killeen Fire Department.
Body
DATE: September 16, 2025
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Kate McDaniel, Executive Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Ordinance to Amend the Number of Authorized Civil Service Positions for the Killeen Fire Department
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Texas Local Government Code (TLGC), Chapter 143, represents an effort to present, in a coherent and practical format, the laws and civil service procedures for Texas police and fire departments. The civil service system was established in the City of Killeen in an election duly called and lawfully conducted on August 13, 1977. The rules and regulations of TLGC Chapter 143 apply to all classified police and fire officers.
One of the provisions of TLGC, Chapter 143, is that the municipality’s governing body establishes the civil service classifications by ordinance. This ordinance, as adopted by the governing body, further prescribes the number of positions in each classification [TLGC 143.021(a)].
During the FY26 budget presentation, the plan to amend the number Fire Department authorizations was discussed. The attached ordinance decreases Fire Captain authorizations by -one (1), increases Fire Battalion Chief authorizations by one (1), and increases the Deputy Chief of Fire authorizations by one (1).
Current Strength of Force for KFD Revised Strength of Force for KFD
Fire Rescue Officer 211 Fire Rescue Officer 211
Fire Captain 40 Fire Captain 39
Fire Battalion Chief 6 Fire Battalion Chief 7
Deputy Chief of Fire 3 Deputy Chief of Fire 4
Assistant Chief of Fire 2 Assistant Chief of Fire 2
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This action is uniform to city ordinance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The total cost of this expenditure is $169,306 and is inclusive of benefit costs.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
Recurring
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
Yes. These authorization changes were funded in the FY26 budget; accounts 100-51110-250-251-000000 through 100-51700-250-251-000000 for the Deputy Chief of Fire and 100-51110-250-254-000000 through 100-51700-250-254-000000 for the Battalion Chief.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Yes.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the ordinance amending the total number of authorizations for the Fire Captain position decreasing authorizations by one (1), the Fire Captain position increasing authorizations by one (1), and the Fire Deputy Chief position increasing authorizations by one (1).
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Budget
Finance
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Ordinance
Presentation