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Police budget asks reflect rising costs for ammunition, K9 replacement and cell‑phone service; chiefs cite vehicle lifespan and radio maintenance
Summary
Police Chief Brian LaVicke outlined requested increases for ammunition, a replacement K9, cell-phone service to avoid subpoena risks from personal phones, and routine vehicle upfitting; dispatch wages and radio/battery replacements also drove modest budget increases.
Police Chief Brian LaVicke told the council the department’s operating budget includes increases driven by union-calculated wages, ammunition costs, language-translation service fees and replacements for aging equipment.
LaVicke said ammunition and firearms training line items rise this year after last year’s bulk purchase reduced spending; the budget adds funds to restore standard levels. He flagged a $12,000 increase for a planned K9 replacement as the current dog nears retirement and added $15,000 for cell-phone service so officers do not use personal devices for official business, which the chief said reduces legal risk.
On fleet issues, LaVicke discussed a vehicle‑replacement cycle tied to engine hours and mileage; while council members referenced typical mile thresholds (100,000–125,000 miles), the chief emphasized heavy idle time on patrol vehicles makes engine‑hours a better gauge of useful life. He explained the department cycles cars from patrol to detective or administrative roles and repurposes equipment where possible to limit upfit costs.
Dispatch and communications requests include battery replacement for portable radios and preventive maintenance on the VHF system; several router replacements will be funded through a computer capital-reserve fund. LaVicke said dispatch is fully staffed and that some wages increases reflect union contracts.
Councilors asked about intern pay and crossing-guard costs; human-resources director Sharon Maroonsch explained internships moved to paid positions because unpaid roles were not being filled. The council will review these police-line items in its Jan. 20 deliberations.
Ending: The council received the department’s request and asked for clarifying line‑item details to weigh personnel savings, equipment timing and upfit alternatives.
