Norwalk

The City Council has unanimously approved a 1985-86 city budget that calls for adding five sheriff’s deputies.

The budget, which has a general fund of $15.5 million, includes a $702,355 increase for Sheriff’s Department service, boosting the department’s allocation 19%, from the current $3.6 million to $4.3 million.

The increase in the Sheriff’s Department allocation includes salary and benefit increases of about 7% for 45 deputies and money to hire deputies for an extra two-man evening patrol to combat gang violence, said Lt. Norm Smith. The money also will be used to hire a second narcotics officer.

The only council member who spoken in opposition to the budget was Bob White, who opposed giving $20,000 to the city Chamber of Commerce to publish an industrial guide. White, who voted in favor of the budget, also said he opposed an increase in money for the Norwalk All-City Band, from $40,000 to $60,000.

“They play the same old songs,” White said in an interview. “They don’t even know ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ for the Little League opener.”