Don’t alarm permit fees and false alarm fees go directly into the police department’s budget?
The basic answer is not directly. Alarm permit fees and false alarm fees go into the General Fund, which the City Council has basic discretion over spending. Fremont has generally used 90% of its General Fund for police, fire, and maintenance services over the years. According to page 191 of the City of Fremont 2004/05 Adopted Operating Budget, the police department receives 97% of its funding from the General Fund and 3% of its funding from grants. The Fremont Police Department’s budget for FY 04/05 is $44,729,874 (p. 191, City of Fremont 2004/05 Adopted Operating Budget). Since this revenue is deposited into the General Fund, one cannot say that it is directly made available for the Police Department’s budget.
