October 14, 2025 Special Budget Meeting
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
An open meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in the Community Room at Police Headquarters, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City.
PRESENT:
Commissioner Tom Whittaker, President
Commissioner Madeline Romoius, Vice President
Commissioner Scott Boswell, Treasurer
Commissioner Heather Hall, Member
Mayor Quinton Lucas, Member
Stacey Graves, Chief of Police
ABSENT:
Mr. David V. Kenner, Secretary/Attorney
This meeting was called to order at 3:47 p.m. by Commissioner Whittaker. Mr. Kenner had an excused absence.
Chief Stacey Graves presented a memorandum dated October 10, 2025, and supporting items, to recommend Board approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Requested Budget. Major Joshua Heinen provided an overview on the Department’s requests. He explained that the Department is requesting $417,079,021 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, compared to $343,130,291 that was appropriated in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, for an overall increase of $73,948,730. This requested increase is primarily related to pensions, health insurance, workers’ compensation, settlements, additional sworn and professional staff funding, inclusion of funding related to information technology previously paid out of other City funds, increase in anticipated grant and donation funding, and first year of a five-year payment for a new body-worn and in-car camera system. Major Heinen advised that personnel costs make up roughly 90 percent of the Department’s budget.
Major Heinen advised the City’s requested funds total $380,450,199 of the requested budget; of those funds, Jackson County, grant and self-funded activities total $19,665,118 (5.2 percent). Other City funds equate to $32,402,534 of the requested budget. The Board Treasurer’s Account funds total $36,628,822; $19,665,118 of the Treasurer’s Fund is used as a mechanism to reimburse the City for grants, code enforcement efforts regarding private officer licensing and parades/traffic escorts.
Major Heinen noted that the requested funding includes adjusting the law enforcement officer pay scale, starting officers at $70, 000. This is an increase from the current starting annual salary of $65,000. This will continue the Department’s efforts to remain competitive with other police departments and retain current tenured members. The requested budget includes funding for an additional 50 sworn members positions, 10 call takers, and 20 dispatchers.
Major Heinen explained that the requested funding includes required annual contributions to the pension system, an increase of $10,945,899. Health insurance premiums are estimated to increase by roughly $7,307,034. Non-personnel related items requested increased by 28.6 percent. This increase is attributed to the following: $3 million in equipment, $7.5 million for settlements, $0.9 million for telephone and network connectivity, $0.4 million for operational equipment materials and repairs, $0.4 million in minor equipment (personal protective equipment), and $0.3 million for miscellaneous expenses. Major Heinen noted that the funds requested for settlements will be allocated to prior obligations. This will also be a year with a 27th pay period, which will cost the Department an additional $6,601,432.
The Board thanked Major Heinen, Budget Manager Kristine Reiter, and the staff in the Fiscal Division for their tremendous work on this thorough budget request that is reflective of the Department’s needs and operating costs.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hall, with a second by Commissioner Boswell, to approve the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Requested Budget, as presented, for submission to the City for consideration. The vote was 4-0 in favor, with Mayor Lucas abstaining.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hall, with a second by Commissioner Boswell, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, Commissioner Boswell voted Aye, Commissioner Hall voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
The Board adjourned at 4:32 p.m.