BUDGET WORKSHOP PONDERS
POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS
August 16, 2014
The fifth budget meeting occurred in Cedar Key City Hall Thursday, August 14, 2014, at 6pm. In attendance were Mayor Dale Register, Vice Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Tina Ryan, Royce Nelson, and Nettie Hodges.
Staff in attendance included Police Chief / Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief / Building Department Manager Robert Robinson, City Clerk Teresa George, and Staffer Lisa Fine. Not in attendance were City Attorney Norm Fugate and City Consultant CPA Robert Beauchamp.
In the audience were approximately fifteen individuals.
Mayor Register took the opportunity to announce:
- the cancellation of the August 21, 2014, Budget Workshop;
- an invitation to the upcoming Tuesday, August 19, 2014, City Commission meeting;
- an invitation to the upcoming August 20, 27, and 28, 2014, Budget Workshops.
Vice Mayor Sue Colson reminded the audience that school begins this Monday, August 18, 2014, to expect students and parents on the streets, to be aware of the School Zones, and to support the students and their programs.
POLICE STAFFING
Chief Sandlin requested funds to maintain his current staff of four full-time and eight part-time policemen. He explained his scheduling of them to maintain the present 24-hour, seven days per week police presence, and how, much of the time, one policeman was on duty except for the weekends when two are on duty. He further explained that part-time police receive no fringes, no benefits, and no leave and often perform longer than their shifts dictate. Sandlin’s proposed budget includes a 3% pay raise for both full-time and part-time policemen. This would be the first raise for the department in three years.
Mayor Register questioned the number of policemen needed and asked what would we do if we didn’t have coverage from midnight to 6 am. Chief Sandlin said that he has spoken with the sheriff McCallum regarding coverage by the county and was told by the Sherriff that he would not obligate any of his men for that purpose. Chief Sandlin’s opinion that once it got out that there was no coverage between midnight and 6am that the crime rate would go “through the ceiling.” Mayor Register related the conversation he had with Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum before last years’ budget meetings and when Register asked “what would it cost if Levy County protected us?” McCallum responded that his office could not provide Cedar Key (the same level of) coverage for the amount in Sandlin’s budget.
After a lengthy discussion between Chief Sandlin and the commissioners, Mayor Register noted that this discussion was beneficial because many people make comments without the facts regarding the police department and it is the commission’s responsibility to get the story and facts on the table and what the alternatives are and what could be done differently. After over twenty minutes of discussion and comments the commission was in agreement that the Police Department staff should remain as is.
SECURITY CAMERAS
Chief Sandlin requested that the commission approve a $17,828 Security Group, Inc. contract to be monitored by ADT and payable in four annual payments, that would provide nine surveillance cameras to be located in the City Park and Marina areas. Commissioners voted three to two against the purchase for now but told Sandlin to return with the request next budget year. Sandlin assured them that he would do so. Commissioners Hodges and Colson voted yes; Commissioners Ryan, Nelson, and Register voted no.
DISPATCH SOFTWARE
Chief Sandlin requested $18,045 for a software package that will connect his officers to Levy County Dispatch when the county changes its software package soon. Non-purchase would result in frequently out-of-service telephone-based communication with the county. Commissioners approved the sum and directed Sandlin to return to them with a more full explanation of the software package content and operation. Because Cedar Key plans to “piggy-back” on the county’s software purchase, the cost was reduced from $52,000 to $18,040.
POLICE CARS
Chief Sandlin reported that the city’s three police cars were 2006 models with approximately 140,000 miles on each and requested two replacements at a cost of $31,000 each. Commissioners directed Sandlin not to replace the cars now and that, if one were to become inoperable, that they would vote to repair or replace it.
AUDIENCE HEARD
Many audience members espoused opinions and experiences.
- Property manager Tina Ryan shared some bizarre happenings, everything from naked women to autos running into building pilings, at her properties and reported immediate police response.
- Two-year resident John Andrek cited the “quality of life” here “where kids bike and walk” and negative statistics elsewhere.
- Resident and retired law enforcement officer Nolan Freeman said this is the safest area he has experienced. He was amazed that Sandlin could cover three eight-hour shifts for seven days a week with the help that he has.
- Brian’s Big Deck owner, Brian Skarupski, agreed with the necessity of having two police officers on duty on weekends and refuted the stories that the restaurant/bar owners were looking to have a “wild west” atmosphere on Dock Street.
- Twenty-year resident Roger McKinney suggested purchasing the cameras a few at a time on a trial basis.
- Former mayor Heath Davis reminded commissioners that even though they worked hard (on the budget) last year, taxes were still increased about 22% and that the Levy County Sheriff’s Office would, by law, have to respond to calls from Cedar Key if the City did not have a police department of its own.
The Budget workshop was adjourned at 8:10 pm.
The City Commission will meet next Tuesday, 19 August at 6pm
The next Budget Workshop will Wednesday, 20 August at 6pm
The next Budget meeting will focus upon:
- Public Works Director Position
- Budget items previously set aside for reconsideration, and total expenses.
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