Whitestown Town Board Amends & Approves 2013 Budget
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: November 20, 2012
The Whitestown Board has approved its preliminary budget. After
residents spoke at a public hearing two weeks ago concerning budget
cuts, some changes have been made.
A Whitestown police officer retired a few months ago. The board wanted to keep the budget the same as 2012 but without replacing that full-time officer position. But police and community members weren't happy. And tonight, the board approved the budget after amending it and keeping that full-time position.
"You consolidate , you can have an officer 100 miles away. He may be needed here. By the time he gets here, it's to late," says Lynne Reilly, Whitestown resident.
"You could be waiting 10 to15 minutes before the police officer arrives at the call," says Tim Barone, President of Whitestown Police Benevolent Association.
Barone said not replacing the full-time officer position could mean not having enough officers on call.
"If you had 2 officers on, obviously you wouldn't have that issue. It's a safety concern for the citizens of Whitestown," says Barone.
"theres no way to fill schedule with staffing levels where theyre at, either need to replace full-time officer that left or hire additional part-time officers," says Mark Sojea, Whitestown Poloce Sergeant.
Several community members spoke on behalf of the police department at the public meeting, and tonight, it seems the board listened.
"It was the unanimous consent of board members to increase that budget back to 2012 level," says Chuck Gibbs, town supervisor.
The board had proposed to decrease the police funds to about $300,000 dollars, but now it will remain at the current $335,000 dollars.
"Just to make everyone more comfortable, we've raised it back up to the 2012 level," says Gibbs.
And the police and community say this is defintiely a step in the right direction.
"It is better, am I happy? I'm happy that the public spoke and gave us the support. The 2012 budget is probably workable," says Donaold Wolanin, Whitestown Police Chief.
"They need our support every step of the way. This is a little plus, they have a long way to go," says Reilly.
And the town supervisor says this 2013 budget will stay within the 2 percent tax cap.
A Whitestown police officer retired a few months ago. The board wanted to keep the budget the same as 2012 but without replacing that full-time officer position. But police and community members weren't happy. And tonight, the board approved the budget after amending it and keeping that full-time position.
"You consolidate , you can have an officer 100 miles away. He may be needed here. By the time he gets here, it's to late," says Lynne Reilly, Whitestown resident.
"You could be waiting 10 to15 minutes before the police officer arrives at the call," says Tim Barone, President of Whitestown Police Benevolent Association.
Barone said not replacing the full-time officer position could mean not having enough officers on call.
"If you had 2 officers on, obviously you wouldn't have that issue. It's a safety concern for the citizens of Whitestown," says Barone.
"theres no way to fill schedule with staffing levels where theyre at, either need to replace full-time officer that left or hire additional part-time officers," says Mark Sojea, Whitestown Poloce Sergeant.
Several community members spoke on behalf of the police department at the public meeting, and tonight, it seems the board listened.
"It was the unanimous consent of board members to increase that budget back to 2012 level," says Chuck Gibbs, town supervisor.
The board had proposed to decrease the police funds to about $300,000 dollars, but now it will remain at the current $335,000 dollars.
"Just to make everyone more comfortable, we've raised it back up to the 2012 level," says Gibbs.
And the police and community say this is defintiely a step in the right direction.
"It is better, am I happy? I'm happy that the public spoke and gave us the support. The 2012 budget is probably workable," says Donaold Wolanin, Whitestown Police Chief.
"They need our support every step of the way. This is a little plus, they have a long way to go," says Reilly.
And the town supervisor says this 2013 budget will stay within the 2 percent tax cap.
