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Middletown police chief asks for fifth officer, seeks grant-writing training as budget limits hiring
Summary
Police Chief Amanda Kirby asked the Town Council for a fifth full-time officer and permission to train as a grant writer to pursue outside funding; council members said current budget constraints mean hiring likely cannot proceed now, though a sixth vehicle is included in the 2020 budget.
Police Chief Amanda Kirby told the Middletown Town Council on July 23 that she is seeking permission to hire a fifth full-time officer and to train as a grant writer to help find outside funding for the department. "I am stretched thin working as a full time officer and covering the responsibilities of efficiently and comprehensively managing the department," Kirby said, and she asked council support for grant-writing training.
The request came as Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Tim Mundell reviewed the 2020 budget calendar and council members explained the Local Income Tax (LIT) allocation process. The council confirmed LIT receipts are split equally between the Police, Fire and EMS departments and that the police portion is currently being used to pay part of police salaries. Chief Kirby said a sixth vehicle is included in the 2020 budget but that additional personnel costs are not currently affordable.
Council members noted the former Police Chief's pay will revert to regular officer pay of $17.88 per hour at the end of 2019; the minutes record that the difference in that former salary would not fully cover hiring a new officer. Kirby also told the council there was a possibility the former chief would retire soon. Council members asked her to "do the best she can with what the budget will allow," while supporting the idea of pursuing grant funds — noting, as minutes record, that "grant opportunities are more available to certified Police Departments than to Town Marshall Services" and that Kirby is working toward department certification.
The council did not take formal action to authorize a new hire at the July 23 meeting. Mundell reminded the council there will be two additional regular meetings, on Aug. 6 and Aug. 29, to make budget adjustments and that after the budget is published online on Aug. 21, 2019 changes that would exceed the advertised tax rate could not be made.
What happens next: The chief may pursue grant-writing training and external funding opportunities; any decision to hire additional officers will depend on budget adjustments at the August meetings and on available revenue.
