Pennridge Regional Police Commission tables 2026 budget after debate over hiring and vehicle replacement

The Pennridge Regional Police Commission on Sept. 24 tabled action on the proposed 2026 police budget after commissioners raised questions about staffing and vehicle purchases.

Chief Paul T. Dickinson Jr. presented the third draft of the 2026 budget, saying there were no changes to the contribution amounts requested from East Rockhill and West Rockhill townships and that adjustments were limited to projected DCED grant funding and a few decreased line items tied to medical insurance costs. Dickinson said the department has been replacing vehicles on an annual schedule to smooth capital costs and recommended adding a 14th officer to preserve a two-year hiring cycle and maintain investigative capacity as the region grows.

Commissioner Jay Keyser requested explanations for administrative training, firearms equipment and fleet upgrade line items and urged caution: he recommended the commission consider not replacing a vehicle outside available grant funding and delaying the next hire until later in 2026, citing rising insurance and salary costs and the risk of clustered retirements. Commissioner Gary Volovnik said East Rockhill supported the chief’s recommendations. David Nyman and David Collingwood raised related points about retirement-related salary savings and whether multi-year planning would change the outcome.

After discussion, commissioners agreed to postpone a final vote until the October meeting to allow follow-up on vehicle-replacement timing, hiring cadence and multi-year budgeting.

The consent agenda — including the Aug. 27 minutes, the Sept. 24 financial report, payment of bills totaling $73,301.92, and the August 2025 chief’s report — was approved earlier in the meeting on a motion by Commissioner Hal Schirmer, seconded by Commissioner Jay Keyser; all present voted in favor.

The commission recessed into an executive session after the public portion of the meeting.