The Finance Committee of Marion City Council met Tuesday and once again denied a request to bring back police officers. The committee said they will begin discussions on asking City residents to approve a tax to pay for safety forces, either through an income tax increase or a property tax.
Council and Finance Committee member Josh Daniels asked the committee to again consider his proposal to reinstate two police officers who had been laid off at the beginning of the year. He said it only makes sense that after Council approved to reduce an income tax credit, that they use part of the anticipated revenue of $250,000 towards adding back police officers.
“My thought is there is no more pressing need than the police department,” stated Daniels while acknowledging other areas could use additional employees. “I haven’t heard of crime being as vicious as it is today.”
Daniels said that even though his proposal would not replace all 17 officers that were laid off, he thinks it is a small step in the right direction. He said he would even be willing to bring back one officer if that is what Council would approve. Daniel said that if he can’t get the votes needed, then city council members need to bring forth their ideas, saying Marion residents “don’t need skittish council members.”
Ralph Cumston, chair of the Finance Committee, said that the City of Marion is just now getting on the positive side of the finances and that Council needs to ensure there is enough carryover at the end of the year to be able to cover payroll. He stated that Daniels was “crying” over not having enough carryover at the beginning of the current year.
Cumston explained that the Mayor can always bring back officers if he feels it’s warranted and he doesn’t want to micro-manage from the Finance Committee. He said he would not support Daniel’s proposal.
Daniels said he never heard worry about the budget when Council approved a $3.5 million aquatic center. He said that if Cumston is happy with the level of police protection, he should just say it. Cumston said the aquatic center is an enterprise fund and will not impact the General Fund. Daniels said the hospital lease funds that went towards the aquatic center could have been used for medical insurance premiums, but Cumston disagreed, saying that was not the spirit of the earmark in the hospital lease.
Dale Osborn, the third member of the Finance Committee, said that he is convinced that the City would be able to make it through the year if the two officers were re-hired. But, he said, now is not the time to do that. Osborn, in response to Daniels request for other plans, said his plan is that the residents should vote on a ballot issue to increase revenue for the purpose of increasing the safety forces. That way, the City residents can have their say on the level of safety forces they desire.
Osborn also warned that he believes the police department will need to request additional funding anyway just to get through 2012 because of ongoing expenses related to the layoffs.
Council member Ayers Ratliff questioned Police Chief Tom Bell on details related to what was budgeted to pay the expenses surrounding the layoffs. Bell explained that over $300,000 was set aside to pay for the unemployment and benefit payouts. Bell said it would cost about $35,000 for salaries and benefits to bring back a single officer for the remainder of 2012. He also said the department has saved about $50,000 so far because of officers who have found other jobs and are no longer receiving unemployment benefits, which are paid directly by the City of Marion.
Ratliff said that taking into account the savings already realized, he doesn’t see that appropriating $35,000 is a lot to ask from Council. Cumston said that what is not being taken into account is there is another $700,000 in cuts coming for next year’s budget due to state reductions.
Chief Bell explained that Council should also consider that another officer was to be laid off at the end of May when the school resource officer would no longer be paid for by the Marion City Schools. He said that because of the savings so far, he is not going to have to make that layoff and therefore that money cannot be used by Council to bring back another officer.
Council member Rebecca Gustin asked if it was feasible to hire officers on a part-time basis. City Safety Director Tom Robbins said that is an option that is on the table, but it would have to be in agreement with the labor union. He said they have never done that before, but it was being discussed.
Because there was no support from the other two Finance Committee members, Daniels declined to make a motion to approve his proposal.
The Finance Committee members agree to begin discussing ideas on asking residents to approve some type of tax for safety forces. The discussions will include deciding what exactly will be requested, but it could be an increase to the City’s income tax or a standalone tax levy. Council would have to approve any potential ballot issue by mid August for it to appear on the November ballot.
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