REDFIELD — Police Chief Steve McFatridge told Redfield aldermen last week that the municipality needs a fifth full-time police officer and offered to pay for the officer out of the police department’s reserve account, with the stipulation that the salary be picked up by the municipality’s General Fund later.
McFatridge said the current force is building up compensatory time while attempting to provide 24-hour patrols in the city.
Alderman Brenda Carmical moved to hire a fifth officer, paying for the position until September, when aldermen would review the 2012 budget and determine if the salary and benefits could be paid from the General Fund.
Alderman Darrell Hedden moved to amend Carmical’s proposal by establishing a permanent position and beginning in January pay the personnel costs from the General Fund.
Carmical’s motion with Hedden’s amendment was adopted unanimously.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Redfield received a fourth budget for the year at the June 5 city council meeting.
The first one was adopted by ordinance on Feb. 7, then repealed on April 3. The same night a third budget was adopted by a resolution. Last week another resolution was adopted to correct errors in the April document.
Carmical gave Street Superintendent Harmon Carter an envelope containing $157.86, stating it was donated by citizens wishing to make up the difference of what she said Carter was expecting to get on his raise that was adopted in March.
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A proposed ordinance establishing the requirements for council meeting agendas was placed on third and final reading and adopted.
Carmical read a letter into the record again asking City Recorder/Treasurer Rita Jackson to include another column on the financial reports listing sources and uses of municipal funds.
Jackson has said repeatedly in the past that the city’s software program does not have the capability to generate the reports in the format Carmical has requested, adding the information is available at City Hall for anyone to examine.
After a lengthy discussion about abuses involving the Dumpsters at the city park, a proposed ordinance that would amend a 1988 ordinance regulating uses and activities in the parks was placed first and second readings. However, because of the differences over the use of Dumpsters in the park, third and final reading and approval and rejection was delayed until the July council meeting.