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Council cites police staffing and equipment costs as driver of proposed tax increase
Summary
Councilmembers highlighted rising public safety costs — higher vehicle and equipment prices, recruitment competition and salary pressure — as a major reason the proposed millage increase is needed to maintain current service levels.
Councilmembers and staff flagged public safety as a key recurring expense contributing to budget pressure and the proposed millage increase.
A council member noted recruitment and salary pressure in policing and argued residents prefer preserved services: "Every single person I talked to, not 1 person said, you know what? We need less services. We need less parks. We need less police." Staff and councilmembers also described vehicle and equipment costs rising sharply; staff said a previously $50,000 outfitted police vehicle can now cost about $80,000.
Councilmembers used the example of police costs to illustrate that maintaining current service levels requires additional revenue or deeper cuts elsewhere.
