2001/10/31 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

October 31,201 Jail Expenses.Adding mom budget problems is a continuing inorease in the City's jail mets paid to Snohomish County.As you will recall,last year the City Council approved a budget amendment to reflect a$500,000 or 25% increase N jail costs.Although we increased the 20,9 budget for jail costa to $2,640,000,jail expemea,again,me running ahead of budget and a$400,000 budget amendment Win be required this year.These increases are the result of several factors including county jail costa,the iocmcecation of more criminals, and longer sentences. The proposed budget includes$3,004,000 for 2002 jail expenses which,hanldy,may be insufficient and another budget amendment could be required in 2002 if jail expenses continue to increase.I have initiated another review of the feasibility of a City jail as a possible means of controlling the City's jail costs.We will be sharing information with the Council's Public Safety and Budge Committees as the jail feasibility study proceeds. New Pmgmms.There are no new programs in the proposed budget. Additional aaaploYses.There are no additional employees requested in Me proposed budget.This is very difficult for me,particularly because it means the City will temporarily fall below our goal of two police officers per thousand population. With the new census data showing a population of 95,996, achieving that goal would require 192 police officers. We have 181 police officers.We would need to hire 11 additional offerers to maintain the 2/1,000 ratio. Our emergency medial calls continue to increase,supporting the need for additional firefighter/EMTs. The new City facilities and parks also need additional mathteoance personnel. Unfortunately,the current revenue picture limits our ability to consider adding City employees at this time.This means we will be asking more of our existing employees during the critical months ahead. • No I.nyofs.Although we lack the funding to hire additional employees, I am pleased to state that at this time I do not foresee the need to lay off any employees in 2002. There may be some reduction in employment though attrition,however,as we will continueto miew each personnel vacancy and the City's financial condition during the year. Terrorism.The recent oma of terrorism have been a concern to all of us.I love been pleased with the leadership of the City's are,police,and public works departments as they have responded to new challenges facing us.At the 481