The primary function of the Billings Police Department is to protect life, property, and the pursuit of constitutionally guaranteed activities through the enforcement of laws, statues, and local ordinances and promoting a safe environment within the philosophy of community policing. The Police Department is split between the Public Safety Fund for a large majority of their expenses and income, but additional grant funds provide reimbursement for several specific programs. The Police Department will continue to provide services for patrol, investigation, animal control, K-9 policing, traffic safety and partner with local, state, and federal investigations. The budget for all Police Department expenses is expected to be $27.88 million, but has decreased from the prior year by $899,689. The largest decrease ($2,800,000) will be from the completion of the Police Evidence Center in August 2020 and a reduction in the amount of Equipment Replacement charges of ($29,141). However, there will be increases in the personal services expenditures ($1,026,109) for overtime, comp cash out and increased grant funded pay. An additional increase of ($518,692) is due to the 2.9% COLA increase for all city employees. The transfers out will be increased by ($26,139) for facilities and equipment replacement. The South TIF Urban Renewal Fund will be transferring in ($250,000) to cover the entire debt service payment. Additional changes from the prior year are due to an increase in Operations and Maintenance netting to ($104,550) including a large decrease in computer equipment and an increase in towing expenses. Additional decreases are due to the department’s internal technology expenditures decreasing by ($3,692). External charges for technology are expected to increase a negligible amount to increase the storage of data and to create a more comprehensive
capability for report analyzing data.

     The Billings Police Department also encompasses the Animal Control Division. Donations to the Animal Shelter are tracked, but with the privatization of the Animal Shelter in 2009, projected revenues for the Animal Shelter are no longer expected as public donations have been going directly to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter. The accounts are left open for possible donations through the City. Any expenditures within Animal Control will be used for spay and neuter relief, education, animal health and welfare, facility improvements, and other projects and initiatives to benefit animals.