In a recent government meeting, council members engaged in a robust discussion regarding the upcoming budget, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public safety funding amid financial constraints. Councilman Collazo expressed strong opposition to any budget cuts that would reduce police staffing, labeling such actions as detrimental to resident safety. He underscored the success of previous public safety initiatives and insisted that any negative impact on the police budget would be unacceptable.

Council members also highlighted the need to address existing financial obligations, particularly concerning public safety impact fees. One member pointed out that the town owes $32,500 to the Neighborhood Safety Districts (NSDs) and advocated for using the allocated public safety impact fees to reimburse this debt before considering any expansion of services.

The conversation also touched on the broader implications of budgetary decisions, with some council members reflecting on past voting patterns and the prioritization of salaries and pensions over hiring new officers. They expressed a desire to shift focus back to essential services and community safety.

Additionally, discussions included the potential for reallocating funds from proposed new parks to support police overtime, although restrictions on certain funds were noted. The meeting concluded with a call for public input on the budget, emphasizing the council's commitment to transparency and community engagement in the decision-making process.