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Fredonia police chief defends department budget, cites $72,000 midyear removal
Summary
The village police chief presented historical budget data and said the department had absorbed cost cuts; he also said $72,000 was removed midyear from police allocations and called for transparent accounting.
The Fredonia police chief delivered an extended public statement at the June 9 meeting defending the department’s budget management and urging clearer public accounting after learning $72,000 had been removed from last year’s police budget.
"In the last 13 years, the police budget has grown 25.2% — an annual average of 1.96% — well below national averages," the chief said, describing a review of 13 budget cycles provided by the village treasurer. He said the department absorbed equipment and training shortfalls after the $72,000 reduction and that the force was operating vehicles beyond expected use.
The chief also described staffing shortages, saying the department is "down two officers" because of hiring challenges and state qualification requirements. He said the department has used grants to buy computers, body cameras and radios in recent years to avoid placing those expenses on the general fund.
The chief asked the board and the public to consider historical budgeting context before judging the department’s contributions to village finances. He said the police department currently carries no village debt, a point he said explains the age and condition of fleet vehicles.
Trustees thanked the chief for the information and did not take any formal action during the meeting; several trustees said they would consider the chief’s data as they continue their review of overall village budgets and audit work already underway.
