BUTLER TWP — Butler Township’s police, zoning and public works officials presented their financial requests for 2018 to commissioners at a budget meeting Wednesday.

Police Chief John Hays proposed an increase in his department’s general expenses of more than $8,000 to buy a criminal justice manual and a comprehensive law enforcement training manual.

The law enforcement training manual would eventually reduce the department’s liability insurance costs, said Edward Kirkwood, township manager.

Hays said the manual, which officers could access from their computers and cell phones, provides scenario-based training and allows him to track which officers read it and take required tests.

The manual offers 150 policies, which he said he can customize for the township’s needs, and updates the policies.

“It keeps our policy manual up to date,” Hays said.

Over time, it will help reduce risk to officers and litigation, he said.

“I think in the long run it’s going to be well worth it,” Hays said.

The program costs $8,276, a discount price that equates to $394 per officer and is less expensive than other training officers receive, Hays said.

“This is training all 21 officers will get. I know it’s a lot of money. It’s money well spent,” he said.

His budget request includes $72,315 for two new vehicles to replace two vehicles with 100,000 miles on them, he said.

He also asked for $54,000 for 11 portable radios and a base unit and $36,000 for 21 radio carrying cases as well as chargers and microphones in the station.

This year, the police department budget is $2.2 million.

Zoning officer Jesse Hines presented the fire protection budget with a $4,000 increase in the general expenses to $11,000 for purchasing new radios and computer software. The department’s proposed budget of $358,876 is a 3 percent increase over this year’s budget, he said.

Fire Marshall Larry Christy is expected to retire next year, he added.

Hines said the proposed code enforcement budget includes a $500 increase in general expenses to $5,000. He said most other expenses will remain the same as this year.

The code enforcement budget this year is $167,714.