City Budget Provides for More Police
The City Council on Tuesday adopted a $588-million budget that calls for the addition of five police officers to the force and pays Anaheim’s contribution to a $100-million renovation of Anaheim Stadium.
The spending plan, which passed 4 to 1, is the first in five years not to rely on one-time funds or dip into reserves.
“This is the fifth year in a row we’ve added staff to our Police Department,” Mayor Tom Daly said.
The additional police bring the department’s total to 389. Since 1990, 49 officers have been added. Police Chief Randall Gaston said this has resulted in fewer calls for service because police can concentrate efforts in troubled areas.
While the budget adds five officers, it eliminates 35 city jobs at Anaheim Stadium, which Disney Sports Enterprises will begin operating this fall.
The total stadium budget is $34.1 million. Of that, $20 million will go toward the stadium’s renovation; Disney will pay the other $80 million.
Councilman Bob Zemel, who opposed the city’s deal with Disney, voted against passing the budget, mainly because of the expense involved with the stadium renovation.
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