Council adds three police officers to draft budget after debate over staffing and foregone funds

The Nampa City Council approved adding three additional sworn police positions to the FY2026 budget after extended discussion about staffing levels and use of the newly approved foregone levy funds.

Chiefs and police command described the city’s staffing shortfall and the operational consequences: multiple shifts often run thin, minimum-staff requirements create overtime exposure and supervisors are stretched. The department reported earlier analyses that recommended additional patrol officers to reduce mandatory overtime and increase supervisory coverage.

Finance staff warned the council the full-year, fully loaded cost of an officer in the first year (including wages, benefits and equipment) runs roughly $140,000–$150,000; that figure is higher in the hire year because of up-front equipment. Council members discussed options to shift one-time capital dollars (for example, previously budgeted capital or ARPA interest) to cover equipment purchases so more of the foregone funds would pay ongoing personnel costs.

After debate the council voted 5–1 to add three officers to the police budget. The council approved the police budget as updated and directed finance and police staff to finalize the hiring timeline. Several council members said they prefer incremental increases to staffing to avoid a larger override in the future; others warned that delaying hires worsens public-safety risk.

Staff will return with a hiring schedule and the payroll timing needed to place recruits into state police academies and the department’s Field Training Officer (FTO) program.