Police chief requests two officers, patrol vehicles and new tasers as budget lines are trimmed

Police Chief Dale VanNamee told the committee the operating and capital sides of the police budget will need attention as the township works to close a roughly $700,000 shortfall.

VanNamee said the department had planned to hire two officers per year until it added eight new officers, but that last year only one officer was approved because of budget restraints. He asked the committee to fund two hires this year and outlined other operating pressures: the committee reduced the part-time salary and wages line to $80,000 and lowered overtime; VanNamee said he can reallocate if necessary but that cuts will require trade-offs.

On capital, VanNamee flagged several needs: four computers scheduled for replacement (budgeted in a separate line), replacement safety vests on a scheduled rotation, new handguns and equipment, replacement tasers (he said parts are no longer available for the current models), court security doors for building security and two patrol vehicles.

VanNamee also described a VCS (jobs-for-blue) payroll program for outside work the township performs, saying the township currently receives 30% of the contracts and proposing a split of 22% to the township and 8% to the VCS company.

No formal vote on hiring was taken during the meeting; the chief’s requests will be considered as the committee and finance staff prepare the formal budget for introduction.