Figuring out how to better fund the Lawrence police department likely will be a popular topic during this summer’s budget hearings, according to a small group of residents who attended a budget forum Monday.

But whether that means the department needs a new $26 million police headquarters was less clear.

“I hope we don’t just jump into this and say we need to build a building,” said Bonnie Uffman. “A building is part of it, but so is staff, so is mental health. I hope some real thoughtful discussion will happen.”

About 10 members of the public attended a budget forum at the Union Pacific Depot, where they were asked to rank how the city was doing in allocating money toward key services. The police department was the area residents most often ranked as in need of more funding.

But members of the public were split on what that additional money should go toward. Some said a new headquarters, some said additional traffic enforcement near schools, and others said additional police officers for increased enforcement on the Fourth of July.

“We not only need facilities, but we also need more bodies, and wage compensation,” City Commissioner Mike Amyx said of the police department. “It is the whole gamut. We have a tough job this year.”

Among the other topics that the public said needed more funding were:

• Code enforcement: 6 votes

• Public transit: 6 votes

• Social services: 5 votes

• Arts and culture: 4 votes

Tourism and parks and recreation facilities and maintenance were the two categories most often mentioned as being over-prioritized in city budgets. Downtown Lawrence and street maintenance both were ranked by a majority as being about right in the amount of funding they receive.

City officials will host another budget forum at 6:30 p.m. May 14 at Fire Station No. 5, 1911 Stewart Ave.