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Councilmember Kurak recommended that staff also check with Rogers and Otsego. <br />Captain Dwyer reviewed the proposed 2004 Police budget, which would include the addition of <br />two patrol officers and a part time community service officer. One officer would be to help <br />cover the current shits and the second officer would be hired as an attempt to plan for the Town <br />Center because they don't want to be caught behind. The Police Department did submit an <br />application for a universal federal hiring grant where they would give the City $75,000 for a <br />patrol officer that the City would be allowed to spend over a three year period. The City should <br />be hearing soon if they have received the grant. <br />City Administrator Norman emphasized that he did not want the Council to make the decision on <br />the hiring of a Police Officer solely because of the grant because after the first year the position <br />becomes an increasing cost to the City each year. <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he could see including one additional police officer in 2004, but <br />waiting until May or June to hire the officer. <br />Finance Officer Lund explained that if the City were to receive the grant the City would have to <br />submit a report of what the employee has been paid each quarter and then the City receives the <br />money. <br />Councilmember Elvig inquired if wage increases were incorporated into the salary portion of the <br />Police budget. <br />Captain Dwyer explained that the two new patrol officer positions as well as the CSO position <br />are additions to the budget in addition to the step increases for the existing employees. He stated <br />that the Police Department does have officers moving up in longevity as well as reaching <br />maximum vacation and holiday time so they are having problems covering shifts. If they don't <br />start adding staff they are going to have to look at creating other shifts. They have not added a <br />police officer since 2000. At this point he and the Chief really feel that they need patrol officers <br />more than they need other areas in the department. <br />Councilmember Pearson inquired if they were to add the additional officer would it offset the <br />overtime that is paid. <br />Finance Officer Lund explained that the overtime pay would not go away because they are paid <br />overtime on holidays. <br />Councilmember Kurak suggested that they budget for both patrol officer positions and then cut <br />back if they need to. <br />Mayor Gamec noted that they could always add a position if the money is available. <br />Councilmember Elvig suggested that they work through the entire budget and then discuss those <br />types of issues. <br />City Council Work Session/August 5, 2003 <br />Page 5 of 11 <br />