Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police propose cuts while city increases fire department pay and gear
Summary
Police Chief Greg Hall said he reduced the proposed FY26 police budget by $115,000 from FY25 levels while flagging aging vehicular and body cameras; Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman proposed raises for on‑call pay and captains plus equipment and software upgrades, noting township revenues rose about $5,000.
Two public-safety departments presented contrasting budget needs at West Branch's Jan. 13 FY26 work session.
Police Chief Greg Hall said he cut roughly $115,000 from the FY26 police budget compared with FY25, largely by removing outside contract fees that had been included in the prior year. Hall proposed trimming the training budget in FY26 while preserving funds for academy costs if needed, and he emphasized the need to replace aging car and body cameras, calling them a "necessary tool for police."
Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman outlined an increase in personnel-related costs including raises for on‑call pay, truck captains and the department secretary, and said new charting software purchased this year will raise operating costs going forward. Stoolman also listed planned capital and equipment items including defibrillators and turnout-gear replacement. He noted township reimbursements to the department were about $5,000 higher than previously.
Neither department reported a formal vote or motion tied to these requests during the work session; both heads asked the council to consider the proposed spending as staff refine numbers for the formal budget process.
