BELLE — The long-term future of Belle’s police department became the focus of an extended discussion during the Belle Board of Aldermen’s June 29 special meeting as board members debated whether the department can continue operating under its current financial model.

The discussion arose during the board’s review of the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget after Charro Reasor, office manager-city treasurer, reported the court department remained significantly out of balance because projected expenses continued to exceed anticipated revenue. Reasor said the court department was projected to receive approximately $25,900 in revenue while proposed expenditures totaled about $45,405. She also recommended eventually combining the court and police department budgets, noting they had historically been budgeted together before Belle contracted law enforcement services with the Maries County Sheriff’s Office.

The conversation quickly shifted from accounting practices to the overall cost of operating the city’s police department.

Alderman Steve Vogt said the city has continued subsidizing police operations while other departments remain financially stable and questioned whether that could continue indefinitely.

“You and I have had this conversation, but, looking at it from a taxpayer’s point of view, we can’t keep subsidizing the police department year after year,” Vogt said. “$50,000 or more each year, and you know we can balance a budget, like I said, with smoke and mirrors by putting in fine revenue, but if that doesn’t happen…you know that $50,000 honestly, would go a long way toward streets or sewer or water maintenance,” Vogt said.

Vogt said he wanted to be transparent about his position.

“We need to do something, and as I mentioned to the council, I’m proposing that if it’s not turned around by the end of December, that we get the county to do it. I’m just being upfront with you…I’m speaking for myself, but I hope I have the support of the council.”

Alderwoman Rebecca Withouse immediately voiced her opposition to returning police patrol duties to the county.

“You don’t have my support,” Withouse said. “There’s been multiple votes on it. The citizens have said they don’t want the county to do it.”

Withouse said the city is still rebuilding the department after it was previously dissolved, requiring the purchase of new equipment and the hiring of officers.

“When we disbanded it the first time, everything was sold off, gotten rid of. We have to replace things, we have to rehire, we have to rebuild,” Withouse said.

She also said she believes Belle Marshal Jerry Coborn has been working to address the board’s concerns.

“I personally have heard Jerry say that he’s working on it,” Withouse said. “He’s listening to the concerns of the council, and I feel he’s trying.”

The discussion also touched on the department’s ongoing equipment replacement needs, with board members suggesting future purchases could be staggered over multiple years to reduce the impact on the city’s budget.

The board ultimately approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, leaving broader questions about the future of the police department unresolved.