by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - On Monday, the Riley County Police Department presented the 2025 budget to the Riley County Law Enforcement Agency(Law Board).
The 2024 budget was $26,937,092.
“Our guiding compass has, and always will be, centered around what we believe is best for the people of the organization while juggling the needs and expectations of the community we serve,” Director Brian Peete said. “We must keep our legitimacy intact and remain unwavering stewards of the money we are entrusted with.”
The proposed 2025 budget includes:
-Base Adjustments*: $358,331, which is an increase of 1.33%
-Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA) for employees of 3.8% - $815,898
-Salary Survey - $439,100
-Total increase over the 2024 budget = $2,049, 547
-Proposed 2025 Budget = $28,986,939.17(increase of 7.61%)
-2024 Budget Carryover - ($259,633.17)
-2024 Proposed Budget Realized Cost - $26,937, 092 (increase of 6.64%)
*Yearly Base Adjustments include turnover, such as retirements and positions leaving RCPD; changes in benefits, including KPF and KPERS mandatory retirement programs; merit-based steps and longevity pay.
For the past 16 years, RCPD has utilized the Consumer Price Index(CPI) Midwest Region annualized number to determine COLA. In 2023, the annualized number was 3.8%.
“It was our initial goal to have the salary survey completely implemented within three (3) years to remain relevant and competitive in the job market,” Peete said. “However, none of us could have foreseen the profound impacts inflation would have on our everyday costs of operation. Given the same, a more realistic goal of five (5) years for complete implementation has been established. We must continue to invest in our people in order to better serve our community.”
The proposed 2025 budget includes implementing year three of the Arnold Group(TAG) salary survey proposal. Use of the survey has been part of a good-faith effort to improve retention while keeping salaries competitive within the market.
Approximately $1,239,523 of current funds were reallocated during internal budget discussions to help reduce the 2025 increase to the budget. This move allowed salary increases to continue to be implemented. Also $259, 663 from the 2023 budget will be used to offset the 2025 budget.
The majority(87%) of the RCPD budget is spent on personnel, there are 113 authorized officer positions within the department, which is equivalent to approximately 1.57 officers per 1,000 residents. This ratio is much lower than the state(2.6) and national(2.4) numbers.
Following RCPD's presentation, members of the law board requested an alternative budget proposal be submitted at the May 20,2024 meeting with a lower proposed budget amount.