Toledo's plan to hire police is pushed up to November

The Bell administration has moved forward by a month its plans to recruit 30 new police officers this year, and though those officers wouldn't finish their training until mid-2013, at least one councilman is proposing an earlier, additional police class.

An amended 2012 budget released by the city's finance department Wednesday moves the hiring of a police class from December to the start of November, an attempt to assuage concerns by some councilmen and residents that not enough officers are on the street.

The change, if approved by council, would cost the city $160,000 more than what is in the original plan. The money would come in part from funds normally used for infrastructure and a mix of other revenue sources, including delinquent tax collections.

Finance Director Patrick McLean said the administration would like to move up the class even further but does not have the funding. "We moved it up as far as we could with the resources we have," he said. "We'll continue to talk with council over the next couple of days."

Police Chief Derrick Diggs has said fewer police officers will be on the streets this summer than in 2011 because of a record-breaking number of retirements. That's despite a batch of 40 recruits slated to graduate in May.

If the proposed new police class of 30 officers starts in November, the recruits will not be fully trained until August of the following year, Councilman D. Michael Collins said. That won't be soon enough to supply the number of officers needed, he said. The councilman stated he intends to propose a budget amendment next week that would add an additional class of 30 police officers this July.

"I firmly believe that we must have a police class starting in July, with a follow-up class beginning in December," Mr. Collins said. "I will be fully prepared to demonstrate to the administration that the funding of this class is within the realm of this budget and I will be amending it on Tuesday with the hope that council will support me."

Council will meet for its regular meeting Tuesday. Mayor Mike Bell has pressed council to pass the budget by that date, two months ahead of the deadline.

Overall, the amended budget increases the city's revenue projection by almost $1.4 million to $236.4 million. The money would come from several sources, including ambulance services, ongoing revenue from the sale of city-owned parking garages to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and the potential installation of red-light cameras at 11 more intersections to fund recreation programs. The city also hopes to hire four people to pursue delinquent taxpayers, an effort it hopes will bring in an additional $325,000 after salaries are take into account.

The proposal also would increase the transfer of money from the city's capital improvements fund to cover operating expenses. That amount, already a record-breaking $10.8 million in the previous budget proposal, would go up by $1.1 million.

Other than $50,000 to move forward the police class, the extra amount would plug a budget hole predicted because of the delay in the opening of the Hollywood Casino, from which the city is slated to receive tax dollars.

Council President Joe McNamara expressed support for the proposed budget amendments, and said he is hopeful the budget passes Tuesday.

"That's the plan, but majority rules," he said.

Mr. McNamara said he plans to seek additional funding for council to help implement a new record-keeping system and hire a temporary aide to cover for an employee on personal leave.

Councilman Mike Craig, meanwhile, said he hopes to push for more money in the budget for the demolition of blighted homes.

Contact Claudia Boyd-Barrett at: cbarrett@theblade.com or 419-724-6272.