Smyrna Police benefiting from budget surplus
The Smyrna City Council decided 7-0 on Dec. 17 to use $1.6 million of the city’s $3.5 millon general fund surplus.
The $1.6 million will be spent mainly on the Police Department, including $132,000 for three more vehicles; $30,000 for bonuses and nearly $400,000 for the new police body cameras and in-car camera systems.
City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones said $475,000 will be used for the city’s future capital improvement project and $600,000 for the vehicle replacement fund.
Councilman Derek Norton noted the city’s police department almost is fully staffed for the first time in about 20 years due to the city’s recruitment incentives and re-enlistment bonuses, making the city a model community in the nation for these police incentives and bonuses.
Also, city staff will receive merit increases of about $291,000 effective Jan. 1 based upon the City Council’s 7-0 vote on Dec. 17.
