New cops are in the budget, but the money isn’t

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – The Hermiston Budget Committee made changes to the city’s budget that have now been approved by the city council. One of those changes is the plan still contains the money for three police officers, but it does not include the money to pay them.

“With the budget moving forward, we’re not showing any actual spending,” Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said. “It provides the opportunity for the council over this upcoming fiscal year to think through what some revenue options are and what some changes in the service level elsewhere in the budget might be.”

Police Chief Jason Edmiston called the budget process “incredibly frustrating,” but he said he has confidence in City Manager Byron Smith finding a way to fund more officers.

“I do have a good relationship with my boss,” he said. “I’m comfortable that we’re going to get where we need to get. It’s just a matter of when we get there and how exactly we get there.”

The approved budget also does not provide funding for two library positions and one opening for the Parks and Recreation Department.