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Council delays $98,000 police supplemental appropriation, asks for more detail at budget workshop
Summary
Captain Andrew Bedes asked the council for a $98,000 supplemental appropriation to cover rising police costs (fuel, lab fees, evidence disposal and towing). Council members expressed concern about repeating supplemental appropriations and voted to return the item for further review after the upcoming budget workshop.
Captain Andrew Bedes reported to the council that the Greenfield Police Department faced unavoidable operating-cost increases, including fuel for patrol vehicles, dispatch and lab fees, evidence disposal, towing and vehicle storage, and requested a supplemental appropriation of $98,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2025-26.
Council members asked for a detailed breakdown of the increases and debated procedure and timing. One council member said, "We as a city can't sustain a trend of approving adjusting the budget over and over again," and urged departments to identify cuts before asking for additional funds.
Several council members suggested delaying action until the scheduled budget workshop so the council could see the broader fiscal picture and more detailed cost information. A motion to bring the item back after the budget workshop passed.
Next steps: staff will provide a more detailed cost breakdown and return the supplemental appropriation request to council after the budget workshop for further consideration.
