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Police chief seeks permanent staffing lift, outlines equipment and training investments
Summary
Chief Kohlmeier asked the board to convert a temporary headcount increase into a permanent authorized position and outlined equipment purchases (booking‑room security, in‑car/body cameras) and staffing projections tied to officer salaries and retirements.
Police Chief Kohlmeier presented the department's 2027 request, saying officer salaries dominate the ask and that he wants last year's temporary increase in headcount made permanent to maintain patrol and investigative capacity. "My request this year is to take that, temporary increase and make that a permanent increase to the authorized staffing for the police department," the chief said.
Kohlmeier detailed capital needs for booking‑room security upgrades and ongoing technology investments (body and in‑car cameras, license‑plate readers), explained the relationship between staffing, overtime, and comp‑time buyouts, and noted the department separates reimbursable overtime for grant‑funded or third‑party events. He said the net budget increase is modest but flagged that contract COLAs not yet negotiated could alter the final numbers.
