Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Temple public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
18 issues in public safety
City Attorney Employment and Work Plan
The City Council will review the performance, duties, and ongoing work plan for the City Attorney in a closed executive session. This review helps ensure the city's legal representation aligns with municipal goals and priorities.
Fire Department Position Classifications
The council is considering an ordinance to add one Battalion Chief and three firefighter positions, funded through the new budget.
Police Department Executive Summary Review
Chief Brown will present the latest executive summary to foster collaboration and transparency between the police department and the community.
Emergency Services Master Plan and Operations Review
The department is meeting response time goals and responded to a high volume of calls in December and January, with many fires related to cooking or trash.
Animal Services Oversight
Residents testified about chronic staffing shortages and declining outcomes at the city's animal shelter despite a $5 million facility expansion.
Temple Police Association Meet and Confer Agreement
Proposed updates to compensation and promotional processes for city police officers are under review for FY 2027.
Police Promotional Process
The city and police association are reviewing how officers get promoted. This is important because it affects how the department is led and how officers advance in their careers.
Firefighter Promotional Examination Score Appeal
Fire & Rescue personnel appealed various exercises from recent Captain and Fire Driver promotional exams, questioning scoring and testing fairness. The Civil Service Commission reviewed the appeals and upheld almost all exam results after taking public input and holding executive sessions.
Fire Station Infrastructure
The city is upgrading its fire fleet with new apparatus and planning major station upgrades and relocations, such as Stations 7, 9, and 2, to improve coverage and response times.
Drone as First Responder Program
The police department is rolling out new drone technology to assist with emergency response and situational awareness. Sgt. Goodson briefed the commission on how the program works and gave a tour of the operations center.
Introduction of New Police Chief
Temple's on the hunt for a new police chief, and they actually want to know what *you* think! This is your chance to weigh in on who should lead the city's police force.
Introduction of New Police Chief
Temple has a new Police Chief, Coy Brown. This appointment could bring fresh perspectives and changes to the city's law enforcement.
Bias-Based Policing Report Review
Temple's on the hunt for a new police chief, and the city has narrowed down the field to its top candidates. Get ready to see who might be steering the ship for the Temple Police Department.
Fire Chief Hiring Process
Temple's Fire Chief is retiring, meaning the city will soon be looking for a new leader to head up the fire department. This change could bring new strategies and priorities to how the city handles fires and emergencies.
Fireworks Ordinance
Temple's cracking down on fireworks! If you're thinking about lighting up the night sky within city limits, think again. The city is reminding everyone that it's illegal and you could face consequences.
Bias-Based Policing Report Review
A gas leak caused a scare and shut down streets in Temple, forcing an evacuation. Luckily, no one got hurt, but it highlights how quickly public safety issues can pop up.
FY2025 Fire Incident and Call Volume Analysis
The department handled nearly 15,000 calls in 2025, including 457 total fires, and noted a busy start to January with 14 significant working fires.
Police Chief hiring
Temple's on the hunt for a new Police Chief, and they've got it down to four candidates. This decision will shape how law enforcement operates in the city for years to come.