Salem, OR – Over the past two decades, the City of Salem has witnessed a sharp increase in public safety spending, particularly in its police and fire departments. Despite maintaining nearly the same number of employees in these departments, the city’s expenditures have more than doubled since 2006. This trend has raised concerns about the sustainability of public safety services, especially amid the city’s ongoing budget challenges.
A Sharp Rise in Costs
In 2006, the city allocated approximately $61 million for its public safety budget. By 2024, this amount had ballooned to nearly $136 million, reflecting a more than 120% increase in spending. However, staffing levels in both the police and fire departments have remained largely unchanged. This has led to questions about where exactly the additional funding is going, particularly when employee numbers haven’t risen in proportion to the rising costs.
According to city officials, a significant portion of this increase can be attributed to higher wages and benefits. Contract negotiations for public safety employees, including police officers and firefighters, have seen salary increases that often exceed inflation rates. State law mandates that public sector wages be aligned with those of comparable cities, further driving up costs.
Another contributing factor is the growing pension obligations, which have become a heavy financial burden for the city. In 2025 alone, Salem’s pension contributions are expected to increase by $11 million, bringing the total pension liability to $40 million. Of this, approximately $25.6 million will come from the general fund, further complicating the city’s financial situation.
Overtime and Equipment Expenses Add to the Strain
In addition to wages and pensions, both departments have seen a significant rise in operational expenses. Material costs, such as protective gear and medical supplies, have outpaced inflation. For example, the police department has been forced to spend more on essential equipment and technology upgrades, while the fire department’s expenses for medical supplies have also surged.
Overtime costs have also been a major contributor to the growing public safety budget. The Salem Police Department has had to rely heavily on overtime to cover vacant positions, with overtime expenditures more than doubling from $1.6 million in 2021 to $2.9 million in 2024. This reliance on overtime has resulted in burnout among officers, further exacerbating the department’s staffing shortages.
Impact on Service Delivery
Despite the rising budget, the performance of both the police and fire departments has suffered in some key areas. The Salem Fire Department, for instance, has struggled to keep up with the increasing demand for services. Since 2011, call volume has nearly doubled, but staffing has increased by only 16%. As a result, the department’s response times have slowed. In 2024, the department met its five-minute response time target for medical emergencies only 50% of the time, a sharp decline from 75% a decade ago.
Similarly, the Salem Police Department has faced challenges related to its staffing levels. Despite the city’s growth, the number of sworn officers has remained largely stagnant for the past 18 years. As a result, the police department now has the lowest officer-to-resident ratio among Oregon’s eight largest cities. This has contributed to a rise in violent crime, with Salem’s crime rates now second only to Portland’s.
Looking Ahead
As Salem grapples with these rising costs and shrinking resources, city leaders are facing difficult decisions. While the police and fire departments remain critical to the city’s overall safety and well-being, there is growing concern that the current funding model is unsustainable. Mayor Chuck Bennett has acknowledged the need for a long-term strategy to address these issues, but with ongoing budget shortfalls, finding a solution will require a delicate balancing act.
The city’s budget committee is currently exploring potential efficiencies and ways to reallocate funding to ensure essential services are maintained without further escalating costs. However, with pension obligations continuing to rise and staffing shortages in both departments, it remains to be seen how the city will balance its public safety needs with its fiscal reality.
As Salem moves forward, the city’s ability to navigate these budgetary challenges will determine the future of its public safety services. City leaders will need to prioritize not only funding but also staffing strategies to ensure that both police officers and firefighters are adequately equipped to protect and serve the community, without placing an undue strain on the city’s finances.
