Casino security budget faces $350K revenue drop amid grant funding challenges

The Worcester County Budget Workshop held on April 8, 2025, focused on the financial outlook and operational needs for the upcoming fiscal year. Key discussions centered around anticipated revenue decreases and proposed increases in the operational budget for law enforcement.

The meeting began with a review of projected revenue changes for fiscal year 2026. Notably, the casino security revenue is expected to decrease by $40,000 due to reduced office usage, attributed to the employment of a private company for overnight shifts following an increase in hourly billing rates. Additionally, grant revenue is projected to decline by $350,000 due to the unavailability of the PACT grant, which had significantly supported the body-worn camera program. Over three years, this grant provided $814,092 to the office, but with its absence, the office anticipates a 35% overall revenue drop compared to fiscal year 2025.

The discussion then shifted to the operational budget, where the office outlined several requests for increases across various budget lines. A significant request of $55,000 was made for law enforcement equipment to partially fund the purchase of a forensic camera and a pneumatic breech tool, with the total cost exceeding the requested amount to be covered by existing funds. Other notable requests included an increase of $52,000 for fuel costs, $6,000 for K-9 training, and $5,000 for educational training to support professional development for staff.

Additional requests included $8,000 for new vehicles to accommodate vendor cost increases and $16,000 for capital equipment related to public safety. The office indicated no significant increases were needed for the firearms training center or animal control.

In conclusion, the workshop highlighted the financial challenges facing the Worcester County law enforcement office, particularly in terms of revenue reductions and the need for increased funding in specific operational areas. The discussions set the stage for further budget considerations as the county prepares for the upcoming fiscal year.