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Huntsville council authorizes up to $15,000 from Act 988 for police vehicle; new officer hired
Summary
Council approved using up to $15,000 from Act 988 to cover a shortfall in the police vehicle budget and heard the police department report that it hired Emanuel Mangaris, who is expected to start training Jan. 27.
The City of Huntsville Council voted to authorize up to $15,000 from the Act 988 fund to fill a shortfall in the police department's vehicle budget, council members said at their Jan. 8 meeting.
Mayor Dawson and Police leadership said an earlier budget action reduced the police vehicle line from roughly $97,000 to $44,000 for fiscal 2025, leaving the department short one vehicle needed for a newly hired officer. To address the gap the council voted to approve drawing from Act 988 funds and set a contingency authorization at $15,000 to cover sales tax and equipment costs.
"I'll make the motion to set it at 15 just in case it's off a little bit," a council member said; the motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. The mayor and captain said Act 988 funds are restricted to vehicle and equipment purchases for patrol vehicles.
Police also reported they received more than 30 applications for a new officer and chose Emanuel Mangaris, who "will start probably the 27th" and enter field training before attending the academy, the chief said. The department emphasized transparency around fund balances and said staff would reconcile differing account figures the following day.
Council directed staff to reconcile the Act 988 account balances and to provide documentation to explain the apparent discrepancies in available funds; the vehicle purchase was authorized subject to those internal checks.
