VENTURA : Plan Would Avoid Layoff of 6 Officers

Six Ventura police officers who faced layoffs due to budget cuts would have their positions permanently funded under a proposal recommended Wednesday by the city’s finance committee.

The committee, composed of three City Council members, will forward its recommendation to the full council for approval next month.

The money to retain the officers comes out of parking fee revenues, which increased because police made sure more residents paid their tickets this year, and out of dollars the city hopes to recover from the school district for supplying it with crossing guards.

Police officials also said they expect at least two officers to retire within the next year. Committee members asked that those positions, when vacant, would not be filled until the committee has examined whether the city can afford to do so.

The total cost of salary and equipment for each of the six officers runs between $70,000 and $80,000 per year, said Terry Adelman, the city’s director of management resources.

By adding together the parking fee revenues and the expected crossing guard payments, and counting on two officers retiring, committee members said they believed that the city could avoid laying off any current officers.

“That way, we don’t send out the message (to the six officers) that, if things go bad, you are the next one off the boat,” Councilman Steve Bennett said.