MISSOULA — The Missoula police and fire departments on Wednesday kicked off the city's official budgeting season, seeking funds to cover inflationary costs and to fill their anticipated needs over the new fiscal year.

Police Chief Mike Colyer said his department is facing a roughly 6% operational increase, with many needs scaled back.

The costs include contracted services, enhancing the drone program, maintaining the capabilities of the special teams unit, and increasing city contributions to the wellness program.

Maintaining contracts includes school resource officers and the downtown police patrol.

“These are existing positions that have been in our budget for many years,” Colyer said. “We've restructured the agreements with the school district and downtown business partnership. The

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