GALT, CA (MPG) - Police funding and equipment usage were two items the Galt City Council dealt with at its April 7 meeting,  beginning with a report on Measure R.

Passed by voters in 2008, Measure R implemented a half-cent sales tax dedicated to funding police service needs beyond those paid for in annual fiscal year budgets. The funds currently pay for 10.5 positions including patrol officers, a gang detective, school resource officers, a professional standards officer, dispatcher, records technician, an analyst and police services program costs.

“As our police chief presented during a previous council meeting, the 2025 reported crime data showed this funding is beneficial in helping the police department provide their public safety services,” Measure R Citizens Oversight Committee Chair Paul Harvey said, adding the measure covers about 20% of the Police Department’s 2024-2025 budget.

At the March 3 meeting, Police Chief Brian Kalinowski told the council that, with the exception of motor vehicle-related issues, the crime rate in Galt either remained consistent or dropped in 2025. Kalinowski said areas that did increase, such as officer-initiated calls for service, traffic incidents and arrests were the result of having more officers on the streets and better training.

According to the Citizens Oversight Committee report, revenues were about 0.29% better than expected, coming in at $2,491,433, almost 95% of which came from the sales tax. Other revenues totaling $132,791 include interest income and intergovernmental charges.

The Measure R fund began 2024-2025 with a $1,714,843 balance, which coupled with the revenue provided a total of $4,206,276 for the department. Expenses in 2025 totaled $2,945,190, leaving a fund balance at the end of the year of $1,261,787.

Most of the $2,192,513 in expenses were for “employee services” such as those outlined above. Operations and maintenance expenses totaled $331,166 while capital outlays came in at $421,511, with total expenses 10.12% lower than expected due to department vacancies and costs associated with those positions.

While anticipated expenses dropped, the report indicated the decrease in ending fund balance of $453,056 was a result of increasing costs of supplies and materials. The committee will continue to monitor revenues in 2026, and budget adjustments could be considered later this year.

In council comments on the report, Councilmember Shawn Farmer thanked Harvey and the other committee members, which met four times over 2024-2025, for their service. Farmer said he hears some people complain about the sales tax from time to time but reiterated its value.

“Measure R is very important to the community,” he said. “Things like Measure R and Measure Q (1 cent sales tax for essential services passed in 2022) serve important purposes.”

Farmer added that without Measure R, the police department wouldn’t be able to purchase the services or pay for the added personnel covered by the revenue.

“Half a cent is a small price to pay for some of those things,” Farmer said.

Oversight Committee Chair Harvey agreed, noting sales taxes that are imposed for specific things often don’t go away once that objective is paid for.

“This is one I think is very important for the city,” he added.

Council also unanimously approved an annual report from the police department on its usage of military equipment it has purchased. The report is required under state law as part of a policy agencies must develop to fund, purchase and use military equipment.

The military equipment use report was approved as one of six items on the Consent Agenda. Consent agenda items are approved as a group unless a council member requests a separate discussion or action.

The report must include a summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use, a summary of any complaints received regarding usage, reports of any violations of the policy and total annual cost of each type of military equipment including personnel, training, maintenance and other appropriate information. The report must also include the quantity possessed of each type of equipment and if the agency intends to purchase additional equipment in the next year.

According to the report, the Galt Police Department has purchased eight drones, two each of four different models, which were deployed on 58 missions in 2025. Of these, 31 flights were for interior searches, search warrants, traffic collision photos, crime scene photos, outside agency assists and parade security.

Sixteen flights were for training, test flights or “other administrative activities.” No complaints were received, and no violations of policy were recorded.

According to the military equipment inventory, the department spent $68,535.26 on the drones.

“The policy memorializes the cost of each piece of equipment,” the report states.