Previous stories:
Bedford city school resource officers may be cut - May 27, 2009
Bedford City schools could lose resource officers (VIDEO) - May 27, 2009
Bedford city council discussing school resource officer positions - June 3, 2009
Outcries from concerned Bedford City parents appear to have won over City Councilmembers.
The city leader approved a new budget this week that keeps two school resource officers (SRO) in the city's middle and elementary schools. ,a href="http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/bedford_city_schools_could_lose_resource_officers/36238/">The city was considering cutting the program, which costs just more than $125,000.
During a hearing on the budget in May, several residents asked city leaders to keep the SRO program. Bedford City's Police Chief said earlier this year that his manpower has been cut by three officers ">Bedford City's Police Chief said earlier this year that his manpower has been cut by three officers during the past three years, and he expected to lose a fourth position. The Chief believed he would have to move the officers out of the schools to cover patrol shifts.
However, some taxes will be going up in Bedford City. Council voted to increase the real estate tax rate 5 cents to 86 cents per $100 of assessed value, and the personal property tax rate 26 cents to $2.43 per $100 of assessed value. The cigarette tax was increased 10 cents to 30 cents per pack.
City Manager Charles Kolakowski said the increases would only be used to help the city maintain services and that new spending is not proposed. The city would be “jealous guardians” of the money for savings purposes, he said during a recent budget work session.
Several council members said during the session that they didn’t like raising taxes in such a difficult economic year, but that it was necessary move.
No citizens opposed the increases during a public hearing in May.
Also Tuesday, council approved a resolution that provides tax relief of 100 percent for vehicles valued at $1,000 or less, 48 percent for vehicles valued at $1,001 to $20,000 and 48 percent on the first $20,000 of value for vehicles valued at $20,001 or more.
In other business, council directed William Berry, the city attorney, to develop an ordinance that would change meeting times on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
(
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement