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Council frames tax increase as means to fund additional police coverage
Summary
City staff said the proposed tax increase would specifically fund one new police officer, with estimated costs of $60,000 wages, $30,000 benefits and $14,000 in supplies and training; residents questioned the need and suggested alternatives.
City officials told the Aug. 6 hearing that a primary use for the proposed property tax increase would be to expand police staffing. City Accountant Ryan Child outlined the budget numbers and said the city estimated the cost for one new police officer at $60,000 in wages, $30,000 in benefits and $14,000 in supplies and training.
Some residents questioned whether hiring a new officer was the best use of funds. Jean Loveland told the council she supported funding police and suggested reviewing past expenditures, while others, including Jay Thackeray, questioned the need for more officers given the city's low crime rate and urged redirecting funds to fire and ambulance services. No final staffing decision was made during the hearing.
