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Board backs one‑off compromise: one police officer, one dispatcher in budget
Summary
Facing high overtime and a new DEA task‑force opportunity, the Berlin Board of Finance approved a budget adjustment removing one planned officer, adding one dispatcher and reducing overtime spending as a compromise between patrol needs and dispatch coverage.
The Berlin Board of Finance approved a revision to the police department’s staffing plan that eliminates one of two proposed new officers, adds one dispatcher and reduces the overtime line, a compromise aimed at addressing dispatcher shortages while containing personnel costs.
Police leadership had presented three alternatives in the draft budget: two new officers (the original request), one officer and one dispatcher, or two dispatchers. Chiefs and department staff recommended a one‑and‑one approach as the most balanced option. Staff presented cost estimates to inform the choice: a new police officer at roughly $143,200 and a dispatcher at roughly $124,600.
Board members also discussed a separate opportunity to place a Berlin officer on a DEA task force, which could generate asset‑forfeiture revenue that may be used for equipment and training but not for salaries. Police leaders said a DEA seat could bring significant non‑recurring funds for equipment, but that the position on the task force would be split time and could be withdrawn if local manpower needs required it.
After deliberation the board adopted a motion to remove one proposed officer (reducing the officer line by about $143,200), add a dispatcher (membership discussion used a half‑year cost in sizing the motion), and reduce overtime by $150,000. Police leadership confirmed the department could manage staffing under the compromise and that the dispatcher addition would be scheduled to limit overtime pressure.
The motion passed in the course of the meeting. The board’s action changes the personnel assumptions that will be forwarded with the budgets to the annual budget hearing.
