02 City Council Minutes 8-09-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meetrng August 9, 2004 Page 20 Metroplex. He reiterated that it would save training cost, if we could hire already certified officers. Councilman Wilson asked if it was better to hire certified or uncertified officers. Chief Louis said they have to start out paying the certified officer more. He felt the system they have been using has worked very well so far. Councilman Wilson said the question is, do they increase the salaries of the patrolmen to keep them from going to other departments and not do the same for other city employees. He mentioned this would be difficult because of budget constraints and the amount of revenue. Councilman Wilson asked if there was very much extra duty available for the officers in their off duty hours. Chief Louis said there was, but that is assigned according to seniority. Councilman Wilson said that could, perhaps, be done on a straight rotation to give the patrolmen a chance for the extra duty. Councilman Poston asked what the attrition rate for officers was. Chief Louis said he loses about three officers per year. Councilman Wilson asked how that compared with the attrition rate of other city departments. Chief Louis wasn't sure. Councilman Poston asked what would be an acceptable attrition rate. Chief Louis said if there was an increase in attrition, every time they lost an officer, they would be losing the experience and would have to pay for more training. Councilman Wilson suggested it might to be better to reduce the force, so they could up the pay and benefits. Chief Louis didn't think that would be possible due to the increased call rate. Mayor Fendley asked if they would need the $70,000.00 in Utilities since the new police facility would not be ready yet. Chief Louis said he reduced that to $42,000.00. It was agreed to cut miscellaneous to $5000.00, water to $19,000.00, and training and tuition to $25,000.00.