AUSTIN (KXAN) — Budget season continues for City of Austin leaders with another budget workshop session Tuesday morning. The council is considering a record-high budget that could give a big boost to the Austin Police Department.
What’s currently being proposed could cost taxpayers an extra $22 per month.
At the last budget workshop, a major sticking point for council members was funding for the Austin Police Department.
The current proposal would give APD an additional $18.9 million dollars in part to boost retention and recruiting efforts. This would bump APD’s total budget to $96 million.
Council members asked finance officers and APD leaders about the money the department is already spending, especially on overtime.
The council asked for them to clarify which was more costly, hiring new officers or giving those already on the job overtime. Council members also wanted to know where the money for overtime is currently coming from.
According to city documents from this meeting, last year APD’s OT cost $43 million which is expected to go up to nearly $48 million this next fiscal year.
City of Austin Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo said the overtime is being paid for with vacancy savings funds, with jobs still unfilled in the department those already working are picking up the slack.
“If you pay overtime instead of having that person it’s about equal. That’s why you often see the overtime expenses eating up the savings from the officers because we need those slots filled,” Van Eenoo said.
Interim APD Police Chief Robin Henderson spoke at this budget workshop as well. She said there are roughly 100 cadets in training with APD right now so vacancies could be filled soon.
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