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the City can afford this position. The addition of a police <br /> officer is a long term commitment on the part of the City and the <br /> officer hired. A number of years of training of the officer is <br /> required before the officer reaches his full value to the City. <br /> This is recognized in the contract the City has with Teamsters <br /> Local No. 320. When first hired a new officer' s salary is 65% of <br /> a top patrolman's salary. If progressing satisfactorily the new <br /> officer will reach top patrolman's salary after three years of <br /> service to the City. I question whether the City can maintain <br /> it's present level of service to residents over the next few <br /> years and add an additional police officer to the Police <br /> Department. To hire an additional officer when it is questionable <br /> that the City will be able to afford the position beyond the next <br /> budget year seems unfair to both the officer hired and to the <br /> Department. My concern is that the future growth rate of City <br /> expenditures will exceed the growth rate of revenues available to <br /> the City over the next several years. This has proven to be the <br /> case in the past: City revenues have grown at a rate of between 3 <br /> - 4% while expenditures have grown at a rate of between 8 - 9%. <br /> The City has no control over approximately 74 .4% of General Fund <br /> revenues: property taxes have State imposed limits on the amount <br /> which may be levied and local government aids are also controlled <br /> by the State. Both the property tax and local government aid have <br /> increased at a rate of approximately 3-4% the past few years. The <br /> effects of having expenditures increase at a rate that is greater <br /> than the rate that revenues are increasing is already being felt <br /> by the City in preparing the 1991 budget. Payment for certain • <br /> services are being shifted to user fees(recreation and storm <br /> water management) and certain servicesare being reduced or <br /> eliminated. Under such circumstances I do not believe that the <br /> City will be able to maintain the current level of services to <br /> residents in the future as well as adding an additional officer <br /> to the Police Department. <br /> Should the Council wish to add an additional officer to the <br /> Police Department I believe that you will be faced with the <br /> prospect of reducing a service provided in order to continue to <br /> be able to afford that officer. The Mayor suggested that the City <br /> request the Legislature pass legislation authorizing a special <br /> property tax levy for the DARE program and drug enforcement <br /> activities. I believe this to be a viable option. Should the City <br /> prove to be successful in that endeavor an additional officer <br /> could be added atthat time. <br /> Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact <br /> me. <br /> DB/hs <br /> Enclosures <br /> • <br />