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Ruston Police say HB 2015 grant is unlikely to help department amid staffing stability
Summary
Police Chief Bautista told the council HB 2015 provides about $100 million in grants but prioritizes agencies with COVID-19 crisis response programs; Ruston PD currently lacks those programs and has no immediate vacancies, so it would likely be ineligible until 1.5–2 years into the grant window.
Ruston Police Chief Bautista briefed the City Council that HB 2015 allocates roughly $100 million in grants for safety and law-enforcement uses but that the Ruston Police Department does not currently run the COVID-19 response programs the grant prioritizes.
"HB 2015 allocates 100 million dollars in grants for safety and law enforcement," Bautista said, but he explained that the department would not be eligible to receive money until about a year-and-a-half to two years into the grant because of the program criteria and the department's current capabilities.
Bautista also said the department has no current vacancies and does not expect vacancies until March or July 2026. He warned that even if the council authorized a new full-time position immediately, training would take roughly a year to a year-and-a-half, leaving only a short window to use HB 2015 funds during the grant period.
He said he will provide letters of justification for requested 2026 budget increases related to vehicles, computers, CJIS-required upgrades, and portable radios and invited council questions; none were raised during the meeting.
