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The current 2023 budget is $25,051,492, minus carryover of $51,412 for a realized cost of $25,000,080.

Proposed Budget 1

• Base Adjustments - $58,746
• 8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to employee salaries - $1,452,656
• General Counsel position - $95,288
• Salary Survey - $898,460
• Total increase over 2023 budget - $2,505,150
• 2024 Proposed Budget 1 - $27,556,641 (10.00% increase)
• Carryover from 2023 budget – ($256,633)
• 2024 Proposed Budget 1 Realized Cost - $27,300,008 (8.98% increase) 

Proposed Budget 2

• Base Adjustments - $58,746
• 8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to employee salaries - $1,452,656
• Salary Survey - $898,460
• Total increase over 2023 budget - $2,409,862
• 2024 Proposed Budget 2 - $27,461,353 (9.62% increase)
• Carryover from 2023 budget – ($256,633)
• 2024 Proposed Budget 2 Realized Cost - $27,204,720 (8.60% increase)

“The goal of the 2024 RCPD budget is focusing on the personnel needs we continue to face during this volatile job market environment,” Director Brian Peete said. “Our commitment to providing professional law enforcement services depends heavily on attracting and retaining the talented staff who serve the everyday needs of our community.”

Yearly Base Adjustments include turnover (retirements and positions that have left RCPD), changes in benefits (KPF and KPERS mandatory retirement programs), merit-based steps, and longevity pay.

RCPD has utilized the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Midwest Region end-of-year number for the past 15 years to determine COLA. The 2022 annual was 8.0%.

A General Counsel position would prove vital in managing the high-risk nature of our responsibilities. This position would provide specialized legal knowledge beneficial for all staff, the Department, and the community.

RCPD implemented approximately 51% of the Salary Survey conducted by The Arnold Group (TAG) in 2023. The comprehensive salary survey conducted by the Arnold Group revealed RCPD lost its position in the local job market. The proposed 2024 implementation would cover half of the remaining salary survey or approximately 25% of the total, leaving approximately 24% of the total for future years.

“It is essential we are competitive in the job market,” Peete said. “Continued implementation of the salary survey represents an investment into the future of public safety for Riley County. We are a lean agency and our employees are deserving of fair compensation. Their performance at the highest level ensures our community is an outstanding place to live, work, and play.”

$256,633 will carry over from the 2022 budget. This is reflected in the Realized Budget numbers which represent the actual costs to taxpayers in Riley County.

During internal budget discussions, $1,368,204 for staffing of community-focused enhancements and training programs was removed from consideration for the 2024 budget. Through the use of a strategic plan, these items will be addressed during future budgets. As a service-based organization, we understand employees truly are our greatest asset and recognize the need to address COLA and once again become competitive in the job market.

The majority (86%) of the RCPD budget is expended on personnel. Currently, there are 1.49 police officers per 1,000 residents in Riley County, a significantly lower number than the state (2.6) and national (2.4) ratios. Despite the low officer-to-citizen ratio, Riley County has enjoyed lower crime rates than the state average for the past 19 years. Past research, supported by recent inquiries, has revealed RCPD’s percentage of the City and County’s overall budget is comparable to or lower than similarly-sized agencies in the region.

The Law Board requested RCPD come back to the board with alternate budget proposals at the May Law Board Meeting.

The meeting can be viewed here.