Staff recommends adding eight police officers; model relies on one-year sales-tax growth assumption

Staff outlined a staffing plan that would fund a total of eight additional police positions, explaining the model assumes stronger public-safety sales-tax receipts in the near term. Susan (staff) said "what we're proposing is a total of eight officers" and clarified two of those would be funded from the general fund on top of two already in the budget.

Staff noted the assumption of 5% sales-tax growth for the coming year (versus a 2% baseline for future years) was used to accommodate the two added officers; the police chief reportedly supports proceeding with eight officers while not moving forward at this time with a civilian community service officer (CSO). Commissioners asked about academy timing (next class invited in January) and cautioned that relying on ongoing sales‑tax growth could unbalance future budgets if growth slows.