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Budget adds $20,000 for police overtime and increases training funding, staff say
Summary
The committee approved a $20,000 overtime increase for the police department, and staff explained higher per‑officer training costs and intergovernmental training agreements as drivers of higher police personnel expenses.
The City of Talent’s proposed budget includes a $20,000 increase to police overtime and higher training-related spending, the budget committee heard Thursday.
Staff told the committee the overtime addition is partly covered by a $20,000 ODOT grant that can be used for overtime when police are supporting state‑highway activities, and that other training costs have risen because of travel, lodging and expanded certification requirements. The police chief, Chief Schneck, and staff explained the department is the city’s largest personnel cost center and that maintaining 24‑hour coverage — partly to avoid gaps that could be exploited — drives a minimum staffing requirement that affects total personnel costs.
Committee members raised concerns about relative training expenditures for police compared with other city staff. Staff said some training is provided through an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Ashland (training IGA) that is billed separately and not solely reflected in the current line item, and that some contracted services and travel costs are captured in other funds or IGA invoices.
The committee asked staff for monthly and annual breakdowns of police calls and to provide further detail on the training budget, which staff offered to deliver in follow-up. The overtime increase and training adjustments were reflected in the draft budget the committee approved and forwarded to council.
