Members of the Riley County Law Board on Monday received the first proposed RCPD budget for 2025, targeting a roughly 6.6% increase in year over year spending.
This year’s ask is around $2 million more than the current budget, with department administration pointing to inflationary challenges and rising insurance costs. The total overall budget is around $28.7 million. Administrative Capt. Brad Jager says staff reviewed contracts and other accounts to see where money could be shifted.
Director Brian Peete indicated at Monday’s meeting that staff are cognizant of the tax burden and are mindful of the current Law Board’s will to keep a lean budget. He noted the police department is nearly fully staffed, with just 3 vacancies indicated at Monday’s meeting to be filled. RCPD has said it will no longer engage in bidding wars with other agencies for staffing.
Law Board Chair and city commissioner John Matta commended staff for finding ways through contracts and other accounts to reallocate funds to lessen the potential ask from taxpayers.
Last year, RCPD’s 2-year salary survey implementation, to bring up wages, was stretched to a 5-year plan and RCPD is hoping to implement about a third of the remaining $1.4 million in the 2025 budget, which Law Board members generally indicated they were in favor of Monday. It also includes $100,000 for liability insurance and $40,000 for fuel costs.
The Law Board challenged staff to bring back additional proposals of 5 and 6%. Board member Kaleb James says he would like to see additional options presented as well.
The Law Board will review the 5%, 6% and 6.6% options at its May meeting. The Law Board will finalize its 2025 budget in June.
The proposed budget includes:
- Base Adjustments – $358,331 (1.33% increase)
- 3.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to employee salaries – $815,898
- Salary Survey – $439,100
- Total increase over 2024 budget – $2,049,547
- 2025 Proposed Budget – $28,986,639.17 (7.61% increase)
- Carryover from 2024 budget – ($259,663.17)
- Total realized budget for 2025 – $28,726,976 (6.64% increase)
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