Arlington Finance Committee Advances Police, Legal Budgets Ahead of Town Meeting

ARLINGTON — February 9, 2026 — Arlington's Finance Committee advanced several departmental budgets on February 9, including a legal department line item and a police department appropriation, while members renewed longstanding criticism that the legal office submits its budget as a single lump sum rather than itemized lines like every other department. One member said the committee has sought the breakdown for at least four years, calling it a "clean up item" that "falls through the cracks year after year" and noting it prevented a 10 percent printing cut from reaching the legal department. On the police side, the committee heard that the department's departure from the state civil service system and adoption of the recruiting platform GetBadged.com has doubled the candidate pool, with two vacancies currently open. A body-camera contract dispute with vendor Axon — tied to a $89,000 redaction pool — was described as near resolution. The school department budget, among the largest on the annual warrant, has no scheduled presentation date as the department awaits clarity on a possible override vote.