Port Royal begins budget discussions with police, fire
Police and fire department-proposed budgets in Port Royal were the first to come up for consideration Wednesday at a budget workshop before Town Council's regular work session.
The town is looking at ways to work within an approximately $5 million budget next year, a slight increase over the $4.88 million budget passed last year.
Port Royal's fire department, which is shared by the city of Beaufort, is presenting a plan that would cost the town of $816,344. The town pays 24 percent of the department's budget.
Chief Sammy Negron said he's working on a project to map and detail calls, buildings and other information for the town and city, as well as surrounding areas. The municipalities contract with Burton and Lady's Island/St. Helena fire districts at a cost of about $500,000 annually for service in more remote, incorporated areas.
With the Burton contract ending next year, Wednesday's workshop gave leaders a chance to look at future needs and ways to address service.
"We are sitting down and discussing everything to make sure we are not missing any opportunities, and if there are some that are cost-effective and make it possible for us to take care of our properties on our own, we will consider," Negron said.
The police department is requesting a $1.68 million budget, about $160,000 less than what was approved last year. Changes include a request for eight body cameras, which officers will share, for about $6,000, Chief Alan Beach said.
He said he could further adjust his budget before final votes with an eye toward more savings.
"I can go back and revisit to see what we actually expend, but we can tweak that up until the last month," he said.
Beach is continuing an annual request: that another officer and squad car to be added to the department.
Council members asked about the cost of providing police at festivals and events, which town manager Van Willis said is often done for free because of limits on the events' funding.
"I did not run those numbers, and we probably don't want to," Beach said. "As far as overtime goes, we pick up quite a tab."
Council and staff discussed looking into ways to recoup costs, such as charging for part of the police costs.
Willis is asking for a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for all town employees, which would cost about $54,000.
More budget presentations, including a more in-depth look at revenue, are expected at a workshop to be scheduled immediately before the May 13 regular voting meeting.
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- Port Royal approves $4.88 million budget with no tax increase, ends operation of shrimp docks, June 11, 2014
- Port Royal considers future of shrimp docks as town balances budget, May 5, 2014
- Port Royal makes own plans for shrimp docks, leaves proposed jellyfish operation out of budget, June 12, 2013
This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Port Royal begins budget discussions with police, fire."