Police report shows revenue but warns of budget strain, asks board to consider $5,000 annual evidence-storage expense

At the July 14 meeting the police department reported its June activity and sought board consideration of a new evidence-storage expense.

The department said it wrote 112 citations in June, had 123 citations paid, issued 42 bench warrants, made three drug arrests, and collected $32,311 in fines and fees for the month. The department noted a new state requirement for evidence storage and said PADtrax would cost about $5,000 a year; the minutes record a request that the board consider authorizing this expense.

Marshall Harrell read a budget letter summarizing the marshal’s office needs—administration, vehicle and equipment costs, officer pay, insurance and the cost of covering an officer on medical leave—and reported the office collected about $196,900 between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. Harrell said the department had obtained grants from Rep. Roy Adams and Pennington grants, described adding an administrative assistant, and urged the board to consider pay-scale adjustments to retain qualified officers. The minutes record no formal vote on additional police funding at the meeting.