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Versailles police budget heads to fiscal court after committee hearing; chief warns of sharp fuel-cost spike
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Summary
Chief Young presented the Versailles Police Department budget to the Woodford County budget and finance committee, citing a roughly $57,000 county increase at a 3% COLA (about $67,000 at 3.7%) and an unsustainable 58% month-to-month fuel cost surge; the committee commended the presentation and advanced routine items to the full fiscal court.
Chief Young, presenting the Versailles Police Department budget, told the Woodford County budget and finance committee that the county’s share of the police budget would rise by roughly $57,000 at a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and by about $67,000 if the COLA rose to 3.7% — "so, roughly a $10,000 increase to our operating budget from going from a 3% to 3.7%," he said.
The chief warned the committee the budget contains no built-in cushion and has been trimmed to maintain service levels: "I've cut as close to the bone as I could get and still maintain the same level of service," he said. He highlighted an immediate operating pressure from fuel costs: "We put a lot of miles on cars, and our fuel budget increased 58% from last month, meaning March, to April," Chief Young said, calling the increase "unsustainable." He also said a recent uptick in repairs and maintenance largely reflects a contract cleaning service that moved costs from salaries to that line item.
The committee praised the transparency of the presentation. The Judge said the budget "reflect[s] one of the largest investments in law enforcement history for Woodford County" and credited coordination with city leadership, the mayor and council. Committee members thanked Chief Young and budget staff, specifically naming Tracy Combs for her work preparing budget details.
Committee members asked follow-up questions about recruitment, staffing and particular line items. Squire Taylor asked whether the repairs and maintenance increase related to vehicle upkeep; Chief Young answered that much of the rise was tied to the new contract cleaning service but that salary savings of about $20,000 offset some costs.
The committee did not take a final fiscal-court vote on the police budget at the meeting; Chief Young thanked the court and said he would be available for further questions. The matter will proceed to the full fiscal court as part of the upcoming budget process.
