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As Manvel officials develop the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, Police Chief Keith Traylor presented staffing and equipment priorities tied to population growth and infrastructure expansion during City Council’s workshop May 18.
What you need to know
City officials estimate Manvel’s population could grow from about 23,621 residents in 2025 to 38,621 by 2030, according to the presentation.
For FY 2026-2027, the department is requesting the following, totaling nearly $660,200:
Traylor cited salary competitiveness as a recent challenge in recruitment and retention, noting that Manvel’s starting pay is $28.37 per hour, compared to neighboring Iowa Colony’s starting pay of $31.91 per hour.
Mayor Dan Davis noted during the meeting that the city’s overall compensation package also includes benefits such as health care coverage, retirement services and post-retirement medical insurance, as well as the city’s investment in a new criminal justice center.
However, Traylor said salary gaps continue to affect staffing, noting that two officers left for higher-paying agencies in early 2026.
Also of note
The department also outlined nearly $1.74 million in equipment needed for patrol, including:
Traylor said much of the department’s radio and camera technology has reached the end of its service life, and if the city moves forward with a contract with Motorola, costs for the system would be deferred and included in the FY 2027-28 budget.
In addition to patrol, the department is requesting funding for the criminal investigations division, special response team, community relations programs and firearms training, bringing the total request to nearly $2.7 million for FY 2026-27, according to the presentation.
What’s next
Manvel City Council will continue reviewing departmental priorities and funding requests as it develops the FY 2026-27 budget.
