Approved budget benefits police department

Despite the opposition of Councilmember Mike Finn, the 2012 budget for Greeley was passed at the city council meeting on Tuesday. 

During the council meeting, Tim Nash, Director of Finance, presented that the budget included an increase in salaries for the Greeley Police Department and set aside $150,000 to hire two new police officers. 

“It’s important to recognize that this salary increase is a cost savings because we were losing people to other counties,” Mayor Tom Norton said. 

Jerry Garner, Greeley Police Chief, explained that Greeley's police dispatcher salary was lower than the surrounding area. Greeley has been training police officers, but adjacent cities, like Fort Collins, would hire the officers for higher pay. 

“I fully support the pay increase. Our police and fire departments have done an outstanding job,” Councilmember Robb Casseday said. 

The salary increase for the police department wasn’t the reason Finn opposed the budget, but the two new police positions was. Finn said he didn’t think the budget increase for the officer positions was appropriate due to the current economic downturn. 

Garner said that they have needed more police officers, but they were in a hiring freeze. With the funds supporting the two positions, the hiring process will begin almost immediately. 

Finn was the only one to speak out against the budget for the following year. The few people that attended the meeting did not voice any objections to the approved $266.6 million budget.

Agreement allows for opportunities

Councilmember Robb Casseday pulled agenda item number 17 on the consent agenda Tuesday at the Greeley City Council meeting not because he disagreed with the item, but instead to give recognition and clarity.

In the past, Casseday has been asked several times about Greeley’s relationship with Weld County School District 6.

“I think it is important for Greeley citizens to understand the relationship we have with University Schools and recognize how Greeley is supporting the efforts of the school district,” Casseday said.

The resolution introduced at this week's meeting authorizes Greeley to enter into a joint facility use agreement with University Schools, a charter school located by the Family FunPlex. At no cost, both parties are able to use each other’s' facilities for an equal amount of time.

During the spring and fall, the City allows University Schools to use the tennis courts at Centennial Park and the Family FunPlex’s gymnasium.

“The school’s gym is not big enough to hold cheerleading practice, so they are able to have practice in the gym at the FunPlex,” said Andy McRoberts, Leisure Services Director in charge of the agreement.

University Schools is not the only one to benefit from the renewal of this year long agreement.

“Greeley wouldn’t be able to host the Young American Basketball season without the joint agreement,” McRoberts said. 

This intergovernmental agreement shows the city council has made it a priority to support District 6 schools this year.

The agreement will be voted on at the next meeting in two weeks at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the City Council Chambers.