The Clarkston Police say they need nearly $23,000 in budget revisions to keep vehicles on the road, pay officers, and replace failing equipment.
A proposal submitted by Police Chief Dale LaCroix at Monday’s city council meeting outlined the reasons for a 9.3 percent increase over last year’s allocations:
? $4,330 to cover an increase in base salary and compensation paid to officer Jim Thompson during his tenure as acting chief;
?$12,400 for allotted vacation time and shifts that need to be covered when officers attend training;
?$5,000 increase in overtime pay for officers working criminal cases, and court time caused by increased arrests;
?$1,025 increase to compensate for a recent hike in FICA deductions;
?$2,300 to cover an increase in gasoline prices and maintain aging vehicles; and
? $6,000 to replace an in-car computer.
LaCroix said the computer issue is causing a multitude of problems for the department.
‘We only have one car with a working computer, so everyone drives that car,? he said, noting gasoline prices alone have soared to about $900 per month. ‘The repair costs go up every day.?
In addition, a callbox outside the station at 3 East Church is inoperative and will cost about $550 to replace, the chief said.
The department budget was set at $243,236.81 for 2007-2008; the requested revisions hike the total to $265,938.28.
LaCroix said the numbers were flexible, and told the council he could still make cuts and adjustments, if necessary.
The proposal also included an $8,360 decrease to the budget, accounting for police chief wages that went unpaid until LaCroix signed on in September.
City Manager Art Pappas said he would work the more urgent matters of pay, vehicle upkeep and computer replacement into the budget and present it for review at the next council meeting.
‘It’s going to run over,? he warned. ‘I’m going to run into deficit, but we’ll have to work it from there.?
The council didn’t express much optimism, either, and encouraged the chief to tightly prioritize the department’s budget.
‘If there’s no money, what are you going to do?? said Councilman Jim Brueck. We cant give you money we don’t have.?
Still, in addition to the more immediate needs, LaCroix , told the council it wouldn’t be long before the department needed new vehicles.
LaCroix said he preferred a police-rated Chevy Tahoe, which would cost in the neighborhood of $30,000.
‘For what we do here, it’s probably the best car,? he said, noting that with a computer, radio equipment and two-sets of light controls, the Tahoe offered more room than other vehicles.
The council, however, did not immediately embrace the idea.
‘We’re a half-square mile town,? said Councilman Cory Johnston. ‘You don’t arrest that many people and we don’t need chases in this town. If you’re chasing out of town, call the sheriff, let them have them. We don’t care. We don’t need the hassle.?