A-Must-Read: Just TWO (2) Clicks to Decide How to Spend Almost $660,000

The Council will be taking an important vote tomorrow  that will have an immediate cost of $48,000 and will lay the groundwork for $609,000 next year.  

The Council’s Public Safety subcommittee has recommended staying the layoffs of five (5) officers that are scheduled to take place in May, until June 30 when the budget talks for next year conclude.  The cost was not included in the city manager’s proposed balanced budget, so those costs will have to come from somewhere.  

Just 2-Clicks Away

City Council says: The City has the lowest police officers per capita than any other city in the region. The public's priority is public safety. They're concerned that if the officers are laid off, it will be cost more to hire and train new officers.  They're concerned that public safety will be compromised with less officers.

Police Chief says:  The department is reorganizing to be more efficient with less. The City is the second safest city in the region.  The hiring process for any public safety agency is lengthy and the officers will more than likely be available for re-hire.  If he feels that public safety is compromised, he will be the first to come to the council to request more police officers.

The big question is whether the public wants to save police positions, even at the risk of more cuts to other city services.  This decision is yours to make ---- 

This is the crossroad the council faces.  

      Will the public hold them accountable for laying off five (5) police officers for an    immediate savings of $48,000 and next year savings of $609,000?  OR,

     Will the public hold them accountable for cutting more community services and/or raising community service fees (full-cost recovery) in order to not layoff five (5) police officers?

Well here is your chance to voice your opinion on an issue that will directly affect you, your family, your neighborhood.

Click on either Yes or No (and be sure to copy the entire sentence in the subject line) below to send an email to the Mayor & Council with your opinion. 

YES, I support the decision to not layoff five (5) police officers at an immediate cost of $48,000 and if retained in next year’s budget a cost of $609,000.

NO, I do NOT support the decision to not layoff five (5) police officers at an immediate cost of $48,000 and if retained in next year’s budget a cost of $609,000.

It’s that simple.  If you’ve never communicated with your elected officials before, today is your day!

I’ll update you on the decision after the meeting, or you can watch it live yourself online on Tues. May 3 at 4:00 p.m.