Select Board approves amendment to remove $40,000 cap on police detail fund

The Brentwood Select Board voted to place an amendment on the warrant to remove the $40,000 cap on the police detail revolving fund and to allow any accumulated fund balances above that cap to remain in the detail fund.

Julie (staff) explained the fund was established in 2009 with a $40,000 cap but now holds approximately $117,000. The proposed amendment would remove the cap and explicitly permit the current accumulated balance to remain in the fund. The board discussed safeguards to ensure officers’ detail payments are properly cycled out of the fund and asked that auditors and staff reconcile whether reimbursements to the general fund in prior years were made correctly.

A motion to accept the amendment as drafted was made and seconded; after discussion and clarification that the town’s auditors would complete year-end adjustments, the board approved the amendment by roll-call vote. Members emphasized the change is an allocation and bookkeeping fix — not an allegation of malfeasance — and asked staff to coordinate with auditors before implementing operational transfers.

Why it matters: Removing an outdated cap helps the town preserve funds intended for police equipment (for example, to purchase cruisers) and aligns the revolving fund’s capacity with current equipment costs. Board members requested audit confirmation that prior reimbursements and transfers are correct before further spending from the fund.

Next steps: The amendment will appear on the warrant as approved by the board; staff will confirm audit reconciliation and the procedure for ongoing reimbursements.