Redmond councilors to weigh public safety fee options

The Redmond City Council will discuss a range of at least seven options Tuesday evening after six months of public input on a proposed public safety fee on utility bills to fund additional police officers.

City staff will share findings from the council-directed community outreach effort; which included three town hall meetings, more than a dozen community service group presentations, several direct mailings and surveys.

In all, the city said more than 10,000 residents received information about the initiative and about 250 people came in direct contact with outreach staff.

Staff said in a news release Friday that councilors will be presented with a variety of alternatives to address Redmond’s public safety needs in the immediate, interim, and long-term.

Some, but not all, of the alternatives include:

Alternative A: Approve a fee by vote of City Council

Alternative B: Refer a fee, as an advisory opinion, to the ballot in May 2018

Alternative C: Seek a voter approved temporary operating levy in May 2018

Alternative D: Seek a voter approved increase to Redmond’s permanent rate in May 2018

Alternative E: Prioritize public safety as part of the development of the 2018/19 budget

Alternative F: Continue the initiative and public awareness efforts and target a public vote in Nov. 2018, 2019 or 2020

Alternative G: Maintain status quo; take no action

For fiscal year 2017/18, the city council established goal 1(A)(iv) Present City Council with a strategy/decision-making opportunity to increase staffing at the Police Department.

In response to that goal, public outreach was conducted to explore the community’s understanding of the Redmond Police Department’s current staffing and services levels, the growth in workload associated with an increasing population, the gap in staffing commensurate with the workload and a proposed funding solution to increase staffing (a $6 per month public safety fee on utility bills).

Prior research had determined that to keep pace with public safety workloads, Redmond needs to add eight officers.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, located at 411 SW 9 th Street. To view live streamed video of the meetings or to review agendas, staff reports and presentations, visit the city’s website at http://www.ci.redmond.or.us/government/city-council/council-meeting-info/meeting-documents.