Board recommends police 2026 cost sheet, capital list to City Council

The City of Wildwood Board of Public Safety on Oct. 16 voted to recommend the police department’s 2026 cost sheet and a capital-equipment list to the City Council.

Police leadership told the board the staffing level would remain the same in 2026 but the department is asking for roughly a 3% increase in the cost sheet to reflect pay adjustments that took effect in 2025 and higher benefit and operating costs. Presenters described the per-officer cost calculation as an average that includes pay, benefits and the expected cost of a city vehicle assigned to an officer.

The capital list includes: expansion of city security cameras (to cover the new Village Green), replacement batteries and chargers for the city’s speed-feedback trailers, continued leases and maintenance for three license-plate-reader (LPR) cameras, and a proposal to acquire a drone for event coverage, flood assessment and limited law‑enforcement use. Staff also proposed a lower-cost, solar-powered speed-feedback sign with a sensor cable that can change to a flood-warning message when water sensors are triggered.

Capt. Mundell (police) and Public Works Director Brown explained that LPR cameras have helped recent investigations and that regional resources—such as the county-run Regional Information Center—extend Wildwood’s capabilities beyond what local staffing alone can provide. Staff noted that Saint Louis County’s contract includes a 5% cap on annual increases; county budget materials show requested increases above that cap, and staff said that disparity is among the reasons the city should plan for higher operating costs in future years.

By voice vote, the board moved and seconded support for the cost sheet and the capital list and recommended both to the council.

A follow-up presentation or council action is expected once the city integrates the board’s recommendations into the council budget review schedule.