SEYMOUR – Police Chief John Bucherati proposed a $4.8 million police budget for fiscal year 2024 – 2025 that carries a 4.4 percent spending increase.
The proposed police budget is $204,788 more than the current budget.
Much of that increase – $199,791– is attributed to 2.5 percent raises for the department’s 36 uniformed officers, as detailed in a labor agreement, according to Bucherati.
“We came in at 4.4 percent for an increase, and this represents a responsible budget,” Bucherati told the board. ‘‘We don’t really have any new asks. It reflects doing business as a police department, with mainly contractual increases.”
Bucherati presented his budget on Monday (Feb. 5) to the Board of Finance. This was the first of several budget meetings the board will hold throughout February and March with town department heads. Once the board approves a budget, it will be sent to voters at the annual budget referendum later this spring.
The only new item included in the budget is a Chevy Silverado pickup truck for $42,000 to replace a dilapidated 2010 Ford F‑250 pickup.
Here’s a breakdown of the proposed $4.8 million police budget in its entirety:
*Police chief salary, $134,571.93
*Two deputy chief’s salaries, $221,057.55
*Two School Resource Officer salaries, $174,932.16
*Two clerks’ salaries, $114,307.45
*Uniformed police salaries, $3,269,794.48
*Supernumerary salaries, $20,000
*Crossing guard salaries, $32,738.52
*Overtime, $125,000
*Longevity, $50,187.98
*Other purchases, technical services, $27,750.00
*Education, training, seminars, $216,554.10
*Repairs/maintenance, $51,000
*Purchased services/maintenance, $65,232
*Travel, $500
*General supplies, $27,800
*K‑9 supplies, $7,500
*Clothing, $67,400
*Gas, $87,132.80
*Machinery equipment/supplies, $31,600
*Machinery equipment/cars, $55,750
*Body camera maintenance, $3,000
*Body camera storage, $32,508
With gas prices on the decline, Bucherati’s budget reflects a decrease for fuel from $109,900 to $87,132. He said the department’s fleet of vehicles consumes about 28,000 gallons of gas per year.
The finance board will hold its next budget meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Seymour Town Hall.
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis is scheduled to present her budget at 7 p.m. March 6.
The meetings are being live streamed on the town’s YouTube channel.
The finance board’s full budget meeting schedule is on this PDF.
