Greer (SC) City Council Budget Workshop Meeting Part 1, May 14, 2026

The City of Greer held a City Council Budget Workshop on May 14, 2026, focusing primarily on the police department's budget and operational needs amid rapid city growth. The police chief presented a detailed overview of the department's structure, recent performance data, and budget successes, including the establishment of a crisis intervention officer position and the development of a public safety training center. Key procurement-related discussions included requests for additional personnel such as two telecommunicators and a detention supervisor, as well as a significant technology package renewal with vendor Axon. This package includes body and in-car cameras, cloud storage, license plate recognition cameras, and advanced drone technology to enhance operational efficiency and officer safety. The council also discussed challenges in recruiting and retaining officers, the impact of technology investments on staffing needs, and the potential use of opioid settlement funds for community services. The meeting highlighted the balance between investing in technology and personnel to meet increasing call volumes and community safety demands.