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Council approves additional $54,000 to complete body-camera purchase after school-grant split
Summary
After learning a school-district federal grant earmarked for resource officers would be applied 50/50 instead of fully to the city, Rexburg approved a $54,000 budget adjustment so the police department can complete purchases of body cameras, a server and a fingerprint machine.
Rexburg City Council approved a budget adjustment Jan. 15 to provide an additional $54,000 in contingency funding so the police department can complete the purchase and implementation of body cameras and supporting equipment.
CFO Matt Nielsen explained the city had previously budgeted for body cameras and related infrastructure, and that a federal grant the city expected to receive had been submitted jointly by the school district. Nielsen said the grant would amount to $102,000 per year for three years but that the school district — as grant controller — would apply a 50/50 split that means the district retains half and contributes a portion back to the city; the change increases the city's immediate contingency need by about $54,000.
Josh (staff) clarified the grant language, saying the funds were specific to wages and benefits for school resource officers and that the school district is the grant controller. Council members expressed confusion about the mechanics and said they expected to raise the issue at the school board meeting that evening.
Several council members emphasized their support for officers and the need to replace obsolete body-camera equipment, with one member noting the city cannot obtain parts for the old cameras. A motion to approve the budget adjustment to proceed with the body-camera purchase and related systems was moved and seconded and carried unanimously.
Staff indicated the fingerprint machine has already been ordered; the additional contingency will allow body-camera procurement and server upgrades to proceed. Staff also told council they will continue to work with the school district to clarify the grant accounting and contributions.
