Public meeting on TR 26-27 budget

The mayor of Three Rivers is hoping for more money in the city’s budget to be allocated to the city’s police department to increase staffing and to raise officer wages.

WWMT-TV has reported that Mayor Angel Johnston posted a video on YouTube expressing her thoughts on the matter. Johnston is encouraging residents to show up May 19 to a public hearing on the city’s 2026-27 fiscal-year budget. The 6:30 p.m. public hearing will take place at city hall.

WWMT said the city provided around $2.5 million for the Three Rivers Police Department in the 2025-2026 budget, according to Johnston. In that same budget, the city provided $144,000 in overtime to combat understaffing, Johnston said.

The city currently has 15 police officers, along with one in the academy and another awaiting a background check, according to Johnston.

Johnston said current staffing levels prevent the department from enforcing the law.