SAN CLEMENTE : Action on Policing May Come Tonight

After months of emotional debate involving the future of the city’s 65-year-old Police Department, the City Council could take final action tonight on a proposal to merge services with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Council members will also be considering a host of other potential solutions outlined in a 300-page financial plan, including tax increases, to deal with an estimated $6.35-million shortfall in the coming fiscal year.

A public hearing on the long-term financial plan, which has been the subject of numerous meetings in recent weeks, will begin about 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers.

City Manager Michael W. Parness said he expects the council to start narrowing down its options in dealing with the city’s budget problems. The council could choose to vote on the various options, including the proposal to contract the Sheriff’s Department for police services.

“It’s really in the council’s hands from this step forward,” Parness said. “Anything could happen.”

During past meetings, supporters of retaining the Police Department have called for a public election on the issue, while supporters of the Sheriff’s Department contract have sought a final vote from the council.

Mayor Truman Benedict said he is ready to take action tonight, although he wasn’t prepared to say what type of action.

“I would like to believe the council will take action on the sheriff-police issue,” he said. “But I can’t promise that’s going to happen.”

At the request of the City Council, the Sheriff’s Department recently made a proposal to assume law enforcement duties in the financially troubled city of 43,172 for about $5.8 million for each of the first two years, a savings of about $2 million per year.

Under the Sheriff’s Department proposal, the number of street patrol officers would increase by as much as 75% at night and 35% during the day. Much of the savings could be achieved without a reduction in service because the Sheriff’s Department already owns its own equipment and because the costs would be shared among the eight other cities already under contract with the department.

Sheriff’s officials have also promised to hire all sworn officers in the Police Department and almost all civilian employees. About eight full-time civilian employees would not be needed, but officials have promised to find those employees comparable positions in the city or county.

If no major cuts are made and economic conditions do not greatly improve, city officials estimate shortfalls of $1.8 million to $3 million in each of the next five years.

Among other options under consideration: a special fee to raise money for storm drain repairs, a utility tax and a special tax district to raise funds for street maintenance.