PUBLIC SAFETY CUTS ON HOLD UNTIL WEDNESDAY

FOUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT POSITIONS FACE ELIMINATION UNDER DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET PROPOSALS PRESENTED TO THE SIOUX CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY NIGHT. THOSE DEPARTMENTS MAKE UP 71% OF THE CITY'S BUDGET.

POLICE CHIEF DOUG YOUNG HAS PROPOSED ELIMINATING A STREET LEVEL DRUG UNIT COMPRISED OF A SERGEANT AND TWO OFFICERS.

YOUNG SAYS NEIGHBORHOOD PATROL STAFFING IN THE NINE CITY DISTRICTS WOULD NOT BE REDUCED.

THE PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER'S POSITION WITH THE SIOUX CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO A PROPOSED CUT. FIRE CHIEF TOM EVERETT AND SIX CITIZENS SPOKE ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF THE POSITION:

EVERETT TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HIS DEPARTMENT IS AT A BUDGET-PERSONNEL TIPPING POINT.

NONE OF THE AFFECTED OFFICERS IN EITHER DEPARTMENT WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS. THEY WOULD BE REASSIGNED AND THEIR POSITIONS ELIMINATED THROUGH ATTRITION.

COUNCIL MEMBER RHONDA CAPRON HOPES A WAY CAN BE FOUND TO SAVE ALL THE POSITIONS:

CAPRON SAYS KEEPING THE POSITIONS WOULD PROBABLY COST TAXPAYERS AN EXTRA SIX DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN PROPERTY TAXES. COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL WAIT ON A FINAL DECISION UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY WRAP-UP BUDGET HEARING.