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Council clarifies police ammunition spending after consent‑agenda question
Summary
After Council Member Hamilton pulled a consent‑agenda voucher item, the police chief explained ammunition purchases are funded from the department's supplies budget (about $26,000), describing quarterly range training and a monthly 25‑round box arrangement for officers.
At the March 3 meeting the council approved its consent agenda but pulled Item B after Council Member Hamilton noted the vouchers showed payments to firearms ranges without a separate line item labeled 'ammunition.'
The police chief explained that ammunition is budgeted within the department’s police‑supply line (approximately $26,000) and described how the funding is used: the department provides ammunition for quarterly open‑range sessions at Cascade Range for officers’ qualification and training; the city also pays about $250 per month for officers' access to Federal Way Discount Guns for on‑duty or off‑duty range time; and the city provides a monthly box of ammunition (about 25 rounds) per participating officer, invoiced to the city (approximately $600 per month total for those invoices).
"As far as the ammunition, it's in our police supply budget...there's $26,000 in that item," the chief said, adding the department pays for range time and training and supplies required qualification ammunition.
Council Member Hamilton and others asked clarifying questions about past practices, the number of officers using the program (the chief said 25–30 officers typically participate), and whether alternative nearby ranges were available. After the explanation the council moved and approved Item B as part of the consent agenda.
Why it matters: Taxpayer oversight and budget transparency were the reasons the item was pulled for public explanation. The chief’s answer mapped line‑item budgeting practice and operational arrangements for officer training and qualification.
Next steps: The consent agenda item was approved; councilmembers requested public clarity on where ammunition is recorded in budgeting documents and information on range contracts if needed.
