04.30. 2026 Budget & Appropriations Committee Meeting

The City of Bridgeport Budget & Appropriations Committee meeting held on April 30, 2026, focused extensively on the budgets and operational challenges of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Police Department. Key procurement-related discussions included budget allocations for staffing increases, technology upgrades, and capital improvements. The EOC highlighted a need for additional telecommunicators and supervisors to reduce overtime costs and improve emergency medical dispatch capabilities, with plans to trial new translation technology to enhance service. The Police Department presented a four-year growth plan to increase sworn officers to 400, addressing staffing shortages and burnout, and requested capital funds to modernize their vehicle fleet and upgrade outdated technology, including body cameras and surveillance systems. The meeting also covered the financial impact of overtime, grant funding opportunities, and the need for grant writers in both departments. Motions to exhibit budget documents were passed unanimously, and committee members discussed potential policy adjustments to improve revenue from construction-related police overtime. Overall, the meeting emphasized fiscal responsibility while addressing critical public safety and emergency management needs through targeted budget increases and procurement initiatives.