Here's the proposed 2024 budget breakdown for South Bend's police and fire departments

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The City of South Bend leaders met with South Bend's police and fire departments to discuss budgets for 2024.

The police department's budget is $57.6 million to cover operating expenses (excludes pension and grant funds) including: 

• Employment wages for 252 officers ($36.5 million)
• Capital to purchase 34 vehicles annually
• Allocation - used for I.T. ($3.3 million)
  
• Supplies - primarily gas ($857,000)
• Services ($2.9 million)

Services include legal fees ($350,000), SVU ($300,000), ATT body cameras ($210,000), continuing education fund ($185,000) and vehicle maintenance and repairs ($1 million). 

The fire department's budget is $46.5 million to cover: 

• Salaries and benefits ($30 million)

This covers 256 fire fighters, who have received a 2.25 percent increase from 2023 and includes health insurance coverage ($13,600).

• Capital ($2.9 million) 

Capital includes replacing their 20-year-old trucks, which 15 years is recommended for them, radios ($1.1 million) and a new ambulance ($280,000). 

• Supplies ($1.4 million)
• Services ($2.3 million)

Services include repairs and maintenance for their fleet and fire stations ($1,152,000), professional services-split between legal services and fire fighters' physicals ($542,000), utilities ($327,500), training ($144,000) and bill processing ($48,000).