Police budget rises in Lebanon City draft as state academy aid falls and recruitment costs climb

City staff presented a 2026 draft police budget totaling $6,117,382, an increase of $503,077 (8.96%) over the prior year. The presentation said the increase is driven by training and recruitment costs, salary adjustments to improve competitiveness, and additional benefit accruals.

Officials told the council that Act 120 state aid — the state reimbursement that previously covered a large share of police‑academy tuition and education hours — has been reduced to $1,282 per cadet, a substantial cut that shifts more academy costs to the city. As a result staff increased the academy/training line to reflect the full tuition cost for up to six cadet prospects.

Staff described a multi-pronged effort to retain officers amid regional wage pressure: a new starting pay for academy recruits (presenter did not state a full name for the positions), a post‑graduation increase, and raises for mid‑career officers so pay progression remains orderly. The presenter said the city had lost officers to neighboring jurisdictions offering higher pay and that the adjustments are intended to reduce that turnover.

The department is not proposing a new vehicle purchase in 2026 in order to reallocate funds to personnel costs for recruitment and retention; the presenter said vehicle purchases typically resume the following year. The draft also budgets increased spending for uniforms, bulletproof vests (replacement schedule), communication and modem costs, and a records management system whose license and service costs were offset in 2026 by ARPA funds for the first year.

Council did not take action on the police budget in this session; staff will return with remaining budget items at the continuation meeting.