POLICE
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
REVENUE CHANGES:
Funding from State Police Aid increases from the amount budgeted in FY 23. Grants received in FY 22 totaled $65,000. If grant revenue is received in FY 24, it will be added to the budget as it is received. Revenue from parking fines is expected to increase $85,000. Revenue from tow fines is anticipated to decrease $67,000. Building rental for District Court was renegotiated. Municipal Infractions and revenue from impounded vehicles are expected to increase $33,000.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Ten Police officer positions were added in FY 21, bringing the total number of Police employees to 143, which includes 116 sworn officers, 25 civilian employees and 2 animal control officers. Two full-time Crime Scene Technicians and two seasonal part-time Records Clerks were added in FY 23 for implementation of the bodycam project. Four additional sworn officer positions have been included in the FY 24 budget. Members of the Fraternal Order of Police bargaining unit receive a step on July 1st, 2023 and a 4% COLA on January 1st, 2024. Specialty pay has also been included for members of the bargaining unit. Funding for reserve officers is included at $140,000. Part-time salaries include 36 seasonal officers and 56 Public Safety Aides. A step increase effective January 1, 2024 has been included for all full-time civilian employees. Part-time salaries decrease $143,391 as fewer part-time officers and more full-time officers have been funded. Seasonal officers will be paid $19.57 per hour for the summer of 2023. Hourly rates for Public Safety Aides were increased to $17.39. Services overtime has been increased $42,000, from $68,000 to $110,000. Benefit costs for the additional positions have been included. Allocations for health insurance decrease, while the funding for retirement, worker’s compensation and unemployment increase. No funding has been included for retiree health (OPEB).
CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:
Contracted Services include $363,000 in towing expenses, the same amount as FY 23. Telephone and radio parts expense has been funded at $183,818. Cell phones have been included for all Patrol division staff. Training and Travel has been budgeted at $247,694, which includes $20,000 for court-related travel, and $36,281 for mandated training expenses. The annual expense for the Axon body camera contract has been funded at $424,593, an increase of $70,765 over year one costs. Year two of the annual cost for the legal and policy review program has been included at $19,564. Funding for allied agency assistance for major special events at a cost of $15,000 has also been included. Parking ticket mailing and DMV fees have been reduced $10,000. Geofencing advertising has been funded at $10,00, and psychological testing for seasonal officers has been included at $22,320. Test question development and consulting fees for the sergeant and Corporal promotional process have been included at $25,500. The contract to cover the costs of boarding, hay, feed, grooming and care for the Mounted unit has been funded at a cost of $68,400. Contracted Services increase 6% for FY 24. Funding for general building and equipment maintenance increases $27,704, which includes $30,000 to install switch gear for the generator. Refurbishment of the Administration section has been funded at $35,000. Supplies and Materials include all operational supplies and uniform costs. Ammunition purchases are also included in this line item at a cost of $79,938, an increase of $9,250 over FY 23. Patrol operational supplies increase $31,559 and include the purchase of radios and equipment for the four additional officer positions. A replacement camera for the paddy wagon that was supposed to be purchased in FY 23 has been included at $10,000. Replacement uniforms and items included in the Fraternal Order of Police contract are included in this line item at a cost of $223,840. Uniforms and uniform shoes for the four additional officers have been included. Energy costs increase and reflect expenses for the most recent twelve months. Vehicle fuel, parts and labor costs are all budgeted to decrease in FY 24, as the number of vehicles to upfit decreases from eight to six. All upfitting costs have been included at $97,992. The Police department’s portion of the CAD/RMS maintenance costs are charged through Intragovernmental expenses. Maintenance and support for this system cost this department $154,680 annually. Payments to the Vehicle Trust Fund and for IT Services increase in FY 24. Radio maintenance and insurance costs decrease for this department. Six Ford Explorers have been funded through Vehicle Trust.