The Eagle Pass City Council voted to approve a formal action plan to improve public safety staffing and employee retention while directing staff to present specific budget impacts and draft ordinances before changes take effect.

City staff presented an action plan that includes a series of compensation and benefit adjustments intended to raise pay and improve recruitment and retention across city departments, with specific measures aimed at police and fire personnel among others. Staff said the plan was previously tabled to provide more specific implementation details.

Key proposed steps include bringing positions within 30 percent of market pay (staff said some positions were 35–55 percent below market based on a recent compensation study), removing the 25‑year cap on longevity pay and increasing longevity from $4 to $6 per month, extending step pay beyond the current maximum step level, and increasing dental coverage from 90 percent to 100 percent. The plan would increase wellness leave for firefighters from 12 hours to 24 hours per shift and for police officers from 8 to 12 hours per shift, increase general wellness leave from two to three days per year for all employees, change reserve sick‑leave payout from a half rate to a full rate (and extend that payout to civil‑service police and fire employees), add up to three days of bereavement leave, expand certification pay options and consider a car allowance for eligible staff, and promote insurance‑provided wellness and discount programs through Aetna.

Staff said the finance department will include evaluation of the compensation adjustments in the proposed budget by Aug. 19, 2025, and that items requiring additional appropriations will be presented with specific budget impact analyses when ordinances and budget amendments are brought forward. Staff also said some department‑specific assignments and professional development items will be finalized after meetings with police and fire leaders; the presentation noted a meeting with the police department to finalize assignments was scheduled for the next day.

Councilmembers asked for financial details. Staff responded that any item requiring additional budget authority will come forward with a quantified fiscal impact. A councilmember said they would withhold support until they receive more information; staff confirmed the city will provide budget impact numbers when the items are formally presented.

On a motion by Councilman Garcia, seconded by a councilmember, the council approved the action plan. Staff set an implementation target of Oct. 1, 2025, for items that are approved following ordinance and budgetary action.

The plan as approved is directional; it requires subsequent ordinance approval and budget appropriation before changes take effect.