The headline for the city budget discussion Tuesday would have to do with the police. In the wake of the peaceful resolution to a weekend standoff, police packed the council chamber, where chief Ken Scarlette sang their praises:

“Every member of this agency deserves to be compensated in accordance with comparable agencies,” as it’s been mentioned that Springfield lags behind similar-sized downstate cities in police pay. “That includes officers, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants, commanders, deputy chiefs, and the assistant chief . And each one of those ranks is represented here tonight.”

His men and women gave Scarlette a standing ovation. The council then added $2.3 million police salaries, but budget director Bill McCarty said it’s not exactly the same as spending all the money immediately:

“That is the authority to spend up to $2.3 million more in our police lines,” he explained after the meeting. “When – not if, but when – we come to (a contract) agreement with the police union, we will have those dollars in there.”

A unanimous vote — 9-0 with Ald. John Fulgenzi absent — carried a budget that pushes the corporate fund past $200 million. The unanimous vote is noteworthy because it was the first and only time Ald. Joe McMenamin voted for a budget. This is his final year on the council because of term limits.

The fiscal year starts next Wednesday.