Troutdale committee reviews preliminary budget plans to 'ramp up' police staffing

The Public Safety and Equity Advisory Committee reviewed preliminary elements of the city’s proposed approach to expanding police services at its May 7 meeting.

The Chair described the preliminary budget request as a staged program: purchase up to four patrol vehicles in the upcoming fiscal year, hire a police chief and later a lieutenant; if the approach proceeds and funding holds, the following year could include two sergeants, eight officers and a half‑time records position. "This is preliminary because city council has not approved it yet," the chair said, stressing the figures are planning assumptions rather than final commitments.

A committee member noted that including positions and equipment in a budget does not require immediate hiring—funds can be appropriated and left unspent. "You can choose not to spend the money, but you can't choose just to not put it in the budget," one member said during discussion, underscoring the difference between budget authorization and hiring decisions.

The committee also discussed investigative capacity: the chair said the initial plan would not include detectives and noted county detectives remain responsible for investigative work in unincorporated areas. Nick, representing county public‑safety partners, reiterated that some categories of cases are handled at the detective level or by regional units such as ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children).

Members asked the working group to keep the committee informed and to bring more detailed staffing and cost information as the budget process proceeds; the next working‑group meeting was identified for May 18. The chair and members emphasized that further discussions, public outreach and council review are required before any hires or operational changes occur.