Marengo budgets for half a police officer

MARENGO — The general fund for the City of Marengo will balance in the next fiscal year, said City Administrator Ellen O’Rourke during a City Council meeting Feb. 11, but only with 3 1/2 police officers, not four.

The city will have enough money in the budget for salaries and benefits for 3 1/2 officers, but the police department is considered fully staffed when it has four officers.

Councilman John Hinshaw worries that the city won’t be able to come up with money for the remainder of the salary for that fourth officer.

O’Rourke said the city has gone an entire year with only three officers, so the money in last year’s budget for a fourth officer will carry over to the next year. The city can put that money in a police department line item and make up the cost of a fourth officer, she said.

“Right now, I think we will use that practice,” said O’Rourke. That way the city can keep four officers — if it can find applicants — and still balance the budget.

“We will have a decent carryover this year,” said O’Rourke.

“It’s a good plan,” said Hinshaw, but it carries a risk. He’s seen similar plans not work, he said.

Also in police business, the city council declined to give Police Chief Ben Gray a two-year contract with a 3 1/2% raise each year. Council members said they would prefer a one-year contract with a 3% raise.

Councilwoman Jennifer Olson said she’s concerned about state legislation that may put restrictions on city budgets. She’d like to give people raises, she said, but she doesn’t know how much money the city will see in the future.

If the state is going to put a cap on spending, now is a good time for the council to rein it in, said Hinshaw.

The public safety committee with continue contract negotiations with the police chief.