Germantown review highlights police budget growth, staffing changes and $3 million design request

Germantown officials and police leaders at a Public Safety Committee session on a 2026 departmental review outlined plans that would raise police salaries and benefits, continue staffing additions, and seek major capital spending including $3 million for police facility design.

The most immediate figures presented were the recommended 2026 budget changes for the police department. Staff said salaries and benefits account for most of the proposed increase — roughly $265,000 to $270,000 above the 2025 adopted budget — while operating lines show some decreases tied to the departure of dispatch contracts. "Salaries and benefits accounted for the increase in the 2026 recommended budget," village staff said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the committee heard that personnel and capital choices made now will affect the village's five‑year borrowing plan and the 2027 property tax levy. Committee members repeatedly asked which projects could be deferred to reduce projected tax impacts.

Key revenue and staffing notes - Court fees and fines were cited as a roughly $135,000 revenue source for the department. School Resource Officer (SRO) payments from the school district appear in miscellaneous revenue and were noted to reflect a new SRO contract and higher SRO salaries. Tower rental and other small revenue lines were also noted. - Committee discussion and staff comments clarified that…