Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Police chief seeks pay adjustments, vehicles and recurring software funds in FY27 budget
Loading...
Summary
Police Chief G. Seymour presented an FY27 ask driven by personnel costs and capital: a roughly $533,000 increase that includes market adjustments and retirement cost increases, about $350,000 in vehicle purchases, recurring LPR maintenance (~$21,000/yr) and Urban SDK traffic data (~$15,000 split with public works).
Police Chief G. Seymour presented the department's FY27 budget request, describing staffing, operational demands and planned capital purchases. The chief said the department handled roughly 10,000 calls last year (about 30 per day) and currently staffs 28 full‑time employees with three vacancies.
Seymour told commissioners the personnel component drives the bulk of the proposed $533,000 increase and includes COLA and a targeted market adjustment intended to keep officer pay competitive with nearby agencies. "We think it's a reasonable step...to keep good quality police officers here to help retain that," Seymour said, stressing retention as a priority.
The budget package also includes capital for vehicle replacement: the chief said the city plans a block purchase approach (buying several vehicles in the same cycle) with roughly $350,000 allocated for vehicles and a loan structure to spread the cost. Seymour said many current patrol vehicles are 2016–2018 models with more than 115,000 miles and some with 140,000 miles.
On technology and contractual services, Seymour said the city will absorb maintenance costs for license plate readers (LPR) at about $21,000 per year (a five‑year maintenance quote) and continue using Urban SDK traffic data software at approximately $15,000 (split with public works). "The total amount for the maintenance software at all is about $21,000 per year," he said of the LPR maintenance contract.
The chief described two restricted funds: a federal asset‑forfeiture/drug enforcement fund used for K‑9, training and possible drone purchase; and an impound fund for seized vehicles and lot expenses. He stressed that federal and state proceeds must be accounted for separately and have limitations on uses.
Commissioners questioned the size of market adjustments, comparisons with Chattanooga's one‑time correction and the proposed vehicle replacement plan; Seymour explained the city is pursuing targeted adjustments for line officers and a loan to finance vehicle purchases while maintaining oversight of recurring software and contractual costs.
No formal actions were taken at the workshop; commissioners will review the full budget packet and memos on the city website as the FY27 process continues.
