Denver mayor proposes filling 10 911 vacancies, adding staff and $2 million for Denver Health

Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed 2027 city budget would fund hiring to fill 10 vacant 911 positions, add three 311 call-takers, two park rangers and three inspectors, and provide about $2 million in additional support for Denver Health. The citywide proposal totals $4.8 billion across appropriated funds, excluding transfers and duplicate amounts, the Finance Department’s Oct. 26 staff report says.

The 911 funding would come from projected surcharge revenue in the 911 Trust Fund, and the positions would fill existing vacancies rather than create new jobs, the mayor’s budget response says. The response estimates the three 311 call-taker positions would cost $236,000 and the two park ranger positions $173,300. It also proposes two public health and environment inspectors, estimated at $230,000, for residential health, food-safety and cannabis inspections, plus a zoning inspection specialist estimated at $109,200.

The proposed Denver Health support includes $1.4 million for energy-system modifications, restored funding for an Emergency Service Patrol van, a contribution toward a 2% merit increase for staff covered by the city’s operating agreement, and support for the sexual assault nurse examiner program.

The proposal includes $4.5 million for rental assistance through the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program. At the Oct. 26 budget hearing, Budget and Management Office Director Justin Sykes said the mayor’s letter described a commitment to increase that amount, pending results of a Harvard study expected sometime early next year. The hearing did not specify the size of a potential increase.

The Finance Department’s budget timeline gives City Council an opportunity to amend the proposal on Nov. 2 and sets Nov. 9 as the adoption deadline.