Council, police, fire discuss their budget

Toledo is still in the red $8.9 million.

Toledo is still operating under a deficit, so city council is meeting with department heads about their budgets. Toledo is still in the red $8.9 million. Councilmembers are concerned about the budget and staffing levels. The big boys of Toledo, police, and fire met to discuss their budgets today.

Lucretia Peacemaker, 37, has lived in Toledo near Waite high school for 3 years and would like to see more police officers. Peacemaker says, "Especially when they have the football games and a crowd over here." She adds, "A couple weeks ago there were kids partying back in the alley and stuff like that." She hopes the city balances the budget soon.

Toledo is $8.9 million in the red. City councilmembers are meeting with city department heads across to discuss their budgets and staffing levels. Safety forces were in the hot seat today. The police department is stretched thin, that's why there's a push to pass Issue 1. It would move money from capital improvements projects into police and fire budgets.

City leaders appeared to be frustrated when police and fire talked about their overtime budget. "It was about $7000 per person in overtime costs because of filling the 103 rule?" asks D. Michael Collins. Chief Navarre replied, "Probably for those 6 people for the 7 months, probably cost us at least $300,000 per person. A total of about $300,000 in overtime for that."

Peacemaker says she understands the challenges the city faces, but hopes there won't be anymore layoffs.

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