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Council sets $885,000 cap on 2027 Southern Regional Police contribution and urges line-item budget transparency
Summary
New Freedom Borough Council approved a $885,000 cap for its 2027 contribution to the Southern Regional Police Department and asked SRPD to hold a public line-item budget review before the commission's October meeting, citing overtime, contracting and lack of accessible line-item budgets for municipal partners.
The borough council voted to set a $885,000 cap on New Freedom's 2027 contribution to the Southern Regional Police Department (SRPD), reflecting concerns about rising costs, overtime and the need for clearer line-item budgeting.
Council discussion reviewed the current 2026 SRPD total budget ($864,384) and the expected cost increase tied to a 4% pay adjustment in the collective bargaining agreement, which would add roughly $20,597 to the borough's share. Members said they do not want to penalize public-safety services but are seeking fiscal discipline and clearer reporting from SRPD. One council member framed the cap as a tool to encourage SRPD to identify cost savings and present a budget that fits the municipalities' ability to pay.
Separately, a council member said they filed a Right-to-Know request after difficulty obtaining the full SRPD line-item budget and proposed a formal motion asking SRPD to conduct a public line-item review prior to the SRPD October meeting and to provide the approved line-item budget to municipal partners. The council supported formally requesting earlier access to line-item detail so municipal members can review and ask questions before the commission vote.
Outcome: the council adopted the $885,000 cap and requested SRPD hold a line-item budget review and provide the approved line-item budget to municipal partners; implementation details and discussions with SRPD and partner municipalities were left for follow up.
