West University Place is proposing adding two police officers in the fiscal year 2027 budget, which begins Jan. 1.
What happened
During its July 30 budget workshop, council members discussed staying within the state’s voter-approved tax rate. However, Finance Director Marie Kalka informed officials that updated certified tax rolls showed the city would receive $342,000 more in revenue than originally expected, allowing officials to consider a small staffing increase without raising the tax rate.
Officials discussed multiple options for the police department to hire additional officers. However, council ultimately decided on hiring two new officers under Option A.
Option A would add two officers, fund their salaries through the operating budget and pay one-time costs such as vehicle and equipment through reserves. It would also increase employee merit raises from 2% to 3%. The decision would cost the city approximately $370,000.
Other options B and B1 suggested hiring four officers and adding three or four vehicles, respectively. Option B would cost $839,000, while B1 would cost $973,000.
What they’re saying
Council member Kalie Rainsberger questioned whether the city should also raise police salaries to the 80th percentile of comparable agencies to remain competitive in recruiting officers.
Rainsberger argued the compensation discussion has continued for years and asked why the city should delay addressing it.
However, other city officials, including City Manager Dave Beach, said they would like to revisit which cities West U compares itself to before increasing salaries.
They also pointed to resident feedback opposing a property tax increase, arguing the city should avoid asking voters for additional taxes unless there was a stronger data-driven justification.
Police Chief Gary Ratliff said an independent staffing study conducted by the International City/County Management Association concluded the department should eventually have 42 officers, including 25 patrol officers, to give officers more time for proactive policing rather than primarily responding to calls.
He said the department is currently on track to reach 31 officers after its latest hiring class completes training, with the additional two officers serving as another step toward that long-term staffing goal.
What else?
Council member John Bertini moved to adopt the two-officer proposal, Option A, and the motion passed unanimously.
After the budget workshop discussion on Aug. 3, council unanimously voted to set the 2027 property tax to a not-to-exceed rate of $0.219 per $100.
