The Keizer City Council will take the next step to possible expanded police funding with a work session scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday. Citizens will have a chance to speak.

The full council will be formally presented with the recommendation from its task force that a monthly fee be doubled to fund police services.

The councilors will also consider a lengthy staff report that tracks the police activity in Keizer, details current staffing and explains the duties of the staff at the Keizer Police Department. The report is available online on the city’s website.

With growing expenses and restraints in revenue, the city is facing a gap between what it provides to the community and what it can afford.

The task force is recommending that the monthly fee charged to residents and businesses through utility bills in Keizer be increased over the next five years. The money would cover up to $3.5 million in yearly police operating expenses. That would maintain the current staffing, city officials say.

“We have important decisions to make for Keizer’s public safety and we all need to have a thorough understanding of how this works in today’s world,” said Mayor Cathy Clark.

Council President Shaney Starr led the task force that included Councilors Kyle Juran and Dan Kohler.

“It is imperative that the full council receives the information on the call and staffing data that the task force dissected and has an opportunity to ask their own questions,” Starr said.

“I am extremely hopeful for constructive dialogue and true listening to understand from everyone,” she said. “There is only so much money to support our city services, coupled with so many constraints for how certain money can be spent.”

She urged citizens to read the report and listen to Saturday’s presentation.

“There is no easy answer to this issue,” she said.

READ IT: Keizer Police Department analysis

The mayor said the fee proposal is important “but we need first to understand what we need and when, then put together the plan to pay for it.”

Clark and Starr addressed what would be helpful to hear from citizens.

“The most helpful comments are ones that have specific recommendations based on the data,” Clark said. “Like the seven on council, community members can also evaluate the data and ask questions, as well as draw reasoned conclusions for the present need as well as a course for the future.”

“We need to be able to have a constructive dialogue – and that means we all need to be willing to ask questions and understand how we are at this point and then work together to find solutions that will keep Keizer safe, resilient and vibrant,” Starr said. “I am always very happy to listen to questions and concerns and then be able to respond through thoughtful dialogue based on the information we know and have.”

The work session will be in the council chambers at the Keizer Event Center. Written testimony needs to be submitted by Friday, March 6, to City Recorder Melissa Bisset at city hall or by email to [email protected].

PREVIOUS REPORTING:

Keizer city panel favors fee hike – not levy – to pay for police

Keizer leaders eye property tax hike to fund police staffing

Contact Editor Les Zaitz: [email protected].

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