Perkasie Borough Council voted 8-0 to hire a third-party consultant to review its police department costs and operation.
“We have a fantastic police department and a fantastic chief, but in reality it’s expensive to operate. We’re looking at whether there are ways to trim some of those costs,” said Andrea Coaxum, Perkasie Borough manager.
Matrix Consulting Group of Mountain View, Calif., was awarded the roughly $40,000 consulting bid.
Councilman Matt Aigeldinger said the borough’s police department was a large expense and as next year’s budget information was being gathered, council was looking for cost efficiencies.
“It’s one of the largest cost centers for the borough,” Aigeldinger said.
Perkasie spends about $3.7 million per year to operate its own police department.
Coaxum said Sellersville Borough pays Perkasie about 30 percent of the cost of the department for coverage because Sellersville does not have its own force.
She said Matrix came recommended by neighboring municipalities in the region, who were undertaking similar resource evaluations.
Perkasie police provide round the clock, 24/7, year-round law enforcement coverage, the website says.
“Our police department provides important services. We’re taking a look to see if we can find some cost savings while providing the same level and quality of services,” Coaxum said.
Fully staffed the Perkasie Police Department employs 18 full-time officers and two civilian staff members, the website says.
“We’re hoping to have the consultant’s data when be begin the budget process in the fall,” Aigeldinger said.
Council President Jim Ryder was absent from the regular business meeting Monday night.
