Orangetown Police On Target With Current Budget, Planning 2012

The Orangetown Town Council extended the deadline for the Orangetown Police Department to submit its proposed budget for 2012 from today to Aug. 26.

"They did that last week," said Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty. "They wanted us to take a little closer look at accounts."

Nulty said that he realizes that Orangetown is facing budget issues like every other community, something not only factored into the budget for 2012, but the day-to-day practices of the department. His monthly public report to the town council Aug. 16 focused heavily on the department's spending so far this year.

"My payroll is at 62% (of the planned budget), which is where it should be," Nulty said. "That's something we can't control. Overtime is at 47%. I have to keep it at the budget at the end of the year. I think we're doing a good job. Normally, the summer is the time we pay more (in overtime), so it will probably be more next month. The way to manage it better is to have officers make good decisions."

Nulty  said it is important that the entire department find ways to be more efficient.

"(At one point) I had three bars cuasing problems in Nyack. All those bars are closed now," Nulty said. "Do I need the same amount of manpower this year if we have less people (on the street) there?"

He also used the example of the previous Saturday night, when heavy rains were going to keep the number of people going out lower than normal. He said that times like that are an opportunity to control overtime by having fewer officers out.

"As (the town) loses tax revenue, we have to find ways for taxes not to shoot too high," Nulty said. "All of us have to look at how we do business and do anything we can to be more efficient. We try to keep our cars well maintained, for example. That way they get better gas mileage."

Nulty said another approach is to find alternative ways to get things done, such as sharing resources with other departments, the sherriff's office and the state police.

"Rockland County has been good at that," Nulty said, citing the joint narcotics task force as an example. "We have to get better at it. I'd hate to see them cut the coutny budget."

Nulty also offered a report on the recent National Night Out in Orangetown, which was sponsored by the Orangetown Police Department. The event cost the town $6,873.95 after a $1,000 donation by Orange & Rockland was figured in.

"National Night Out is a great program," Nulty said. "Could I get maybe the PBA to volunteer instead of paying officers if we had to? I would hope we could get somebody to take it on. If it is important to the community, we will figure out a way to keep it going."

Nulty understands that his department draws a great deal of scrutiny.

"Somebody pointed out that the Police Department is one third of the budget," Nulty said. "My comment to that is, there are two thirds left. Are they all doing this? (Giving public reports to the town council).

"We are very transparent here. Nobody can say we haven't told them how we are spending this money."