GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — At Tuesday night's Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, the topic of police funding will be a focus.
During the morning committee of the whole meeting, City Manager Mark Washington and Police Chief Eric Payne proposed creating several positions for civilians, including a chief of staff role, a public information officer and an additional position in the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability.
These actions would lower the budget by $396,012.
However, some city commissioners want to see the budget brought down $9 million, to the lowest level allowed by the city charter. Commissioner Milinda Ysasi made a motion to limit the police department's budget to 32% of the city's general fund. It's currently at 38%, equating to about $55 million for 2021.
Watch the commission meeting here:
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