Fairview amends budget, sets aside up to $750,000 for police training facility after public debate

The Fairview Board of Commissioners voted to amend the city's FY2024'25 budget to appropriate funds that could be used toward a proposed police training facility, including a $750,000 amount identified as potentially needed this fiscal year.

The measure, adopted 5'0'00, was presented by City Manager Tom Daugherty as an amendment containing several changes the board previously requested; Daugherty said civil engineers and consultants had provided design work and a range of cost estimates and that the appropriation would allow planning and procurement steps to proceed without returning for a separate emergency appropriation. "They said it could be anywhere from around $500,000 to $1.12 million," Daugherty said of the consultants, adding they had estimated that "they could possibly spend up to $750,000 this fiscal year." The ordinance passed on the board's motion and second and a roll-call vote of five ayes.

Why it matters: Fairview police leaders say a local, dedicated training facility would let officers train frequently, in varied conditions and without traveling offsite. Police Chief Humphreys told the board training there would be limited to law…