Lede: At a Sept. 24 Michigan City Finance Committee budget workshop, police leaders presented the department's 2026 budget proposal that includes a $277,000 Flock Safety camera and shot-detection package (10-year contract) and a $500,000 request to refresh patrol vehicles.

Nut graf: The department described technology subscriptions and fleet replacement as primary near-term needs: new surveillance and analytics tools that would be covered via a multi-year contract, and replacement of aging leased vehicles with owned units and associated upfits. Committee members accepted the police department's proposed budget recommendation to advance to council review.

Body: Police officials outlined several line items and identified technology and equipment as major drivers of the request. Chief Dave Cooney and Chief Kyle Chabarski said the Flock Safety package would include citywide cameras, shot-detection capability, one mobile trailer and two first-responder drones. "The Flock Safe City package keeps cameras and shot detection at trailer, add trailer, two first responder drones, added technology, $277,000, and that is a 10 year contract," Chief Cooney said in the workshop.

The department also listed a $500,000 fleet-rotation target to replace end-of-life vehicles and complete outfitting (radios, lights, interior equipment). Council members and staff explained that buyout of current leased vehicles has been planned to permit a standard rotation of city-owned units. Officials said typical per-vehicle cost — including outfitting — can reach roughly $60,000 to $65,000.

Other budget items discussed included an ARPA-funded kennel expansion (listed as $110,000), recurring technology subscriptions (resource routers at roughly $49,500 annually, Cellebrite phone-processing extensions, and other forensic or records licenses), and testing/examination costs for promotional processes. The police representatives said they have several unfilled positions but are not requesting new full-time roles in 2026.

The finance committee recorded no recommended cuts during the workshop and recommended the proposed police budget be accepted as presented and forwarded to the full council for further consideration.

Ending: The police department's requests will proceed to the council, which will weigh the contract timing and vehicle purchase planning alongside citywide budget constraints during upcoming ordinance readings.