The Edina City Council launched its 2026-2027 biennial budget planning process Tuesday with detailed presentations from police and fire department leaders outlining service levels and cost drivers.

Police Chief Todd and Fire Chief Andrew presented comprehensive overviews of their departments' operations, which together account for 43% of the city's general fund budget. The police department represents 28% of general fund spending, while fire services account for 15%.

Police Chief Todd highlighted the department's 24/7 operations serving both Edina and Richfield through a shared dispatch center. The department operates with minimum staffing of five officers per shift across four zones, supported by specialized units including investigations, traffic enforcement, and community engagement. Todd emphasized the success of the department's cadet program, which has eight participants with five expected to complete training this year to fill current vacancies.

Fire Chief Andrew outlined the department's broader scope beyond traditional fire services, including ambulance operations, building inspections, and public health services. He noted that Edina is one of only four cities in Minnesota with a Community Health Board, which provides local control over health services that would otherwise be administered at the county level. The fire department operates with 36 personnel providing 24/7 emergency response coverage.

Both chiefs identified significant cost drivers including increased training requirements, equipment escalation, and staffing challenges. Fire apparatus costs have nearly doubled in recent years, with engines increasing from $754,000 to $1.2 million. Council members expressed particular concern about the impact of population growth on service demands and requested analysis of how development affects departmental workloads over a five-year period.