The Central Bucks Regional Police Commission’s first take on a budget was recently rejected by Doylestown’s borough council, one of the commission’s three member municipalities.
In a unanimous vote, the council, as recommended by the public safety committee, rejected the preliminary spending plan.
However, the rejection is routine, said Jack O’Brien, president of Doylestown Borough Council and a member of the police commission.
“Since the final numbers for liability, health and other insurance premiums are not given to us until October, a budget is submitted which includes our best estimate of what those costs will be for the upcoming year,” explained O’Brien.
“Knowing that these numbers are estimates, the budget is submitted with the recommendation that it be rejected by the municipalities. An updated budget is provided in October to the three municipalities,” he said, in an email.
Included in the initial budget is an 8.28% hike in spending, amounting to a $565,656 jump from the 2023 budget. Two new full-time officers added $247,300 to the preliminary budget, as did a 3.25% salary increase for officers and a 3% hike for clerical employees.
Spending for legal expenses, including open litigation and Right-To-Know requests is expected to increase by $25,000, according to the budget’s first draft. Worker’s compensation, health insurance and property and liability premiums are expected to add another $143,000.
Created in 2014, the police commission is comprised of three communities. In addition to Doylestown, Chalfont and New Britain boroughs are members. The commission operates under an inter-municipal agreement, with officials from each town represented.
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