Starkville’s Police Budget Faces Cuts, Community Safety at Risk

Starkville Faces Tough Budget Decisions for Police Cameras

As budget season rolls around, the city is tackling some challenging decisions that will impact its police department’s capabilities for the upcoming year. With the board of aldermen announcing a balanced budget with no tax hike, it looks like the police will only be getting half the new cameras they had hoped for, alongside reduced manpower.

A Budget Without the Boost

The board of aldermen is gearing up for public hearings on a Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which is due for approval by September 15, just before the new fiscal year kicks off on October 1. Ward 2 Alderwoman Sandra Sistrunk, who also leads the board’s budget committee, explained that when they gathered for a work session last Friday, they found themselves staring at a substantial deficit of $227,000 between expected revenue and planned spending.

Instead of opting for a tax increase to cover this gap, the aldermen decided to take a hard look at their expenses and made some cuts. Among these reductions was a hefty $140,000 from a proposed police department camera expansion. They found the rest of the savings by trimming legal expenses and postponing the creation of a capital improvement fund for at least another year.

Support for Public Safety

“It’s easy to say you support something in theory, but when it comes to actual funding, that’s where the rubber meets the road,” Sistrunk remarked during a recent board meeting at City Hall. “There wasn’t a lot of enthusiasm for raising taxes this year.” The situation has left Police Chief Mark Ballard with fewer resources than he initially requested.

In a request he made back in May, Chief Ballard had touted a plan for 41 new cameras and eight license plate readers to be strategically placed in high-crime areas over the next two years. This addition would have built upon the 34 cameras already in use. Alongside this, he asked for two additional staff members to monitor camera feeds, increasing manpower from one to three. Unfortunately, given the board’s budget constraints, the police department will only be able to purchase 10 new cameras and one new staff member for next year.

Cuts or Compromise?

Following the work session, Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins, who represents Ward 6, expressed his dissatisfaction with what he called a “band-aid” approach to a crucial public safety issue. He believes the city ought to fully fund the Chief’s recommendations, even if it means looking at a tax increase or finding other cuts. “Public safety should be a top priority,” Perkins emphasized. “I’m not typically in favor of tax increases, but we must consider the repercussions.”

Kim Moreland, representing Ward 1, echoed Perkins’ sentiments. “I think these cameras are essential for our town’s safety,” she said. “If a tax increase had come to a vote tonight, I would’ve supported it.” Given the current realities, the board is weighing the well-being of the citizens against fiscal prudence.

Balancing Act

On the other hand, Ward 5 Alderman Hamp Beatty cautioned against the possibility of a tax hike after two increases in the last four years. He pointed out that the budget already allocates $622,000 for across-the-board employee pay increases to combat inflation’s impact. “It’s essential we manage taxpayer dollars responsibly,” Beatty stated, noting that while they may not meet all the police department’s desires in one go, the intention to follow through remains.

There is some optimism in revenue projections, with an anticipated 6.3% increase in sales tax revenue, which could help fill in funding gaps. However, Beatty raised concerns about the reliability of these estimates, highlighting that last year they missed projections by nearly $500,000. While presenting a cautiously optimistic tone, the board is balancing the push for safety improvements with the reality of not overstretching their finances.

What’s Next?

Although the budget proposal is on the table, it still remains to be seen whether the necessary votes for a tax increase could be rounded up. Sistrunk mentioned she sees no immediate support beyond a couple of aldermen, and any tax hike would mean an extra $4 for every $100,000 of home value, which could be hard for residents to swallow.

Police Chief Ballard has voiced his acceptance of the board’s decision, recognizing they’ve got to adapt accordingly. As Starkville navigates this tricky financial landscape, the decision-makers are feeling the weight of their community’s safety while staying committed to their fiscal responsibilities. The upcoming weeks will reveal how the city’s priorities will play out in the final budget.