Memorial Villages Police Commission Budget Meeting
June 9th, 2009 at 7:00am
Memorial Villages Police Association
Summary and Conclusions
Memorial Villages Police Commission Budget Meeting June 9th, 2009 7:00 AM
The Chief presented a draft budget to the Commission that was $15,000 under budget. The total savings of about $190,000 were achieved through reductions in overtime, innovative scheduling practices, and in part based on Commissioners’ stipulations, requirements and requests to cut overall officer compensation. Those stipulations, requirements, and requests included that the budget be presented with cuts to officers’ overall compensation packages, particularly with regard to retirement benefits. The cuts proposed were: total elimination of cost of living adjustments, total elimination of updated service credits, and a significant cut to the city’s match to employee contributions.
“What gets funded, gets done,” is the conventional wisdom. A public, citizen funded budget is a statement of community priorities. It was clear by the end of the meeting that officers’ overall compensation was extremely reduced with no substantial or justifiable savings to the department.
The Chief was directed to present another draft budget at next week’s meeting that includes:
1. Reserve $20,000 for technology purchases that are not needed until 2012.
2. Refund $15,000 to each city.
3. Hold and promise $40,000 just in case there is a rush demand for
unused, paid leave time.
4. Hold (but do not promise) $124,000 in case Commissioners can decide
on the types, cost, savings, administration, and management of a "self
directed plan".
Please call the police Commissioners and your elected officials and ask them to study the issue for one year before making cuts to compensation. Please come to the next Police Commission meeting on Monday, June 15th at 7:30pm.