Public Safety Committee recommends 2026 public-safety budget, adds staff and new programs

The Overland Park Public Safety Committee voted unanimously June 11 to recommend the proposed 2026 public safety operating budget and related strategic goals to the Committee of the Whole, forwarding a package that staff said funds new positions, mental-health responses and one CIP change supported by federal grant money.

The recommendation covers a proposed $190.2 million total operating budget across all funds, with $97.8 million—about a 6.5% increase over 2025—earmarked for public safety (police and fire). City staff told the committee that personnel costs drive most of the increase and that public safety represents roughly 53% of the general fund operating budget.

City staff said the general fund’s total revenues are projected at $354,100,000, with sales taxes providing about 46% of that total and property taxes about 35%. The overall city budget the staff presented was listed as approximately $998,000,000 for 2026 planning purposes.

Why it matters: Committee members said the budget supports hiring and retention in departments that provide core public services, funds mental-health response work that aims to reduce criminal-justice involvement, and prepares the…