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Police chief asks for more officers; councilors debate prioritizing hires over a new building
Summary
Nephi’s police chief urged councilors to use proposed tax revenue to hire additional officers and fund a new station; some councilors urged staffing take priority over construction, while the administration described the facility as necessary for future growth and evidence/security needs.
Chief of Police Mike Morgan spoke during the FY2027 budget hearing about staffing and facility needs, requesting that the proposed tax increase be used to support a new police station and to hire additional officers. "The proposed tax increase would fund the new police station and hire at least one additional officer," Morgan said during the public hearing.
Several councilors responded during administrative updates and the work session. Councilor Jeramie Callaway said hiring officers should be the "main priority" if the tax increase is adopted. Councilor Tate Douglas explicitly preferred making hiring two officers the priority before constructing a new facility, noting staffing affects day-to-day public safety operations more immediately than capital construction.
City administration described how lease payments to a Local Building Authority would support bond payments for a roughly $15 million facility and said lease and rental income from other agencies could help cover debt service if construction proceeds. The council did not take a formal vote on prioritizing hires versus construction on June 2; those budget trade-offs remain part of upcoming budget deliberations.
