0509 RESOLUTION NO. 509 ( #5 - 98)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS
OUTSTANDING WORK, ASSURING THE CITIZENS OF JACKSONVILLE THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL WILL TAKE THE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED
POLICE OFFICERS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY, AND ENCOURAGING THE
VOTERS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO DEMONSTTZATE THEIR CONFIDENCE IN
THE CITY COUNCIL TO MAINTAIN A PROFESSIONAL QUALITY POLICE FORCE BY
VOTING AGAINST THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE INITIATIVE WHICH WILL BE ON
THE GENERAL BALLOT ON NOVEMBER 3,1998; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Jacksonville Police Department has done an excellent job of providing our
City with police protection;
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby commends all Police Department personnel for their fine
work clone on behalf of the citizens of the City of Jacksonville;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Jacksonville has the responsibility of providing
adequate police protection for the citizens of the City of Jacksonville;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Jacksonville has demonstrated, over a long period
of time, that it takes its responsibility for public safety seriously;
WHEREAS, the Fraternal Order of Police proposed this Initiative to be voted on November
3, 1998, without even discussing their concerns regarding pay raises, pay scales, benefits or staffing
with the City Council in over two years;
WHEREAS, the Initiative, as proposed would create the following major problems for the
City Government of the City of Jacksonville if passed by the voters;
1. The City Council could not reduce the number of persons on the staff of the police
department unless another vote of the people were to be taken. While there is absolutely
no reason to think a reduction in force would be necessary, the City Council should retain
the flexibility to do so without requiring a vote of the people.
2. The City council could not reduce the employee benefits provided to the personnel of the
police department below the current level. The City Council does not anticipate any
reduction in benefits, but with medical costs and insurance spiraling upward, the City
Council should retain the current flexibility it has to provide a proper level of benefits for all
police personnel.
3. A 7% pay increase for all police personnel, to be effective January 1, 1999, will create
animosity towards the police department among other city employees unless all such
employees receive a similar raise. The City Council may be forced to raise taxes or fees
(or both) to generate the funds necessary to effect such an increase in salaries. The City
Council has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to be good stewards of the taxpayers' funds
entrusted to it by providing reasonable raises to all city employees. Arbitrary raises for only
one department, as proposed by the Initiative, will simply create more organizational
problems than it will solve.
4. A guaranteed pay scale, as proposed by the Initiative, would also severely restrict the
ability of future City Councils to react to changing economic conditions. While we would all
like to be able to commit to many years of significant raises, it is irresponsible to do so.
(o
RESOLUTION NO. 509 ( #5098)
October 1 , 1998
Page Two
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION ONE: The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas, hereby commends
the personnel of the Jacksonville Police Department for its service to the citizens of Jacksonville,
renews its commitment to the citizens of the City of Jacksonville to maintain a quality police force
to ensure public safety, and encourages the voters of the City of Jacksonville to vote against the
Initiative as proposed by the Fraternal Order of Police in the November 3 General Election.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS /' DAY OF OCTOBER, 1998.
/ 1 � Q—
MAYORTOMMYSW IM
ATTEST:
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LU ° u • HAWKINS, CITY CLERK
APP' ' D AS TO FO'
Ali
ROBE E. BAMBUR 1 �1 ORr
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