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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 12, 2006 Medford considers tax levy to fund dozens of police staff By Meg Landers Mail Tribune The Medford City Council floated the idea Thursday of a property tax to pay for more police staffing. During its study session, the council talked about a levy that would start at 20 cents per $1,000 of a property's assessed value and grow to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value over six years. The levy would fund 36 additional officers and other staff for the police department, phased in over six years, and would maintain the current level of police service. According to police, enhancing service would require 48 additional officers and staff. That number would bump the final levy cost up to 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, city Finance Director Alison Chan said after the meeting. The police department currently has a staff of 150, of which 95 are sworn officers, said Chief Eric Mellgren. Sworn officers would be phased in at about five or six per year, so the city wouldn't need to come up with the additional funding all at once, he told the council. The council asked Mellgren where he was going to put the new staff, alluding to the crowded City Hall. "Most of those folks are assigned to patrol," he said, adding that the patrol car functions like an office. "A whole lot of what we do is field work." Medford police responded to 74,177 calls for service in 2005, a 55 percent increase from 47,983 calls in 2000. Since 1999, the department has added one officer position. Without the staff addition, the department would have to cut back on investigations and responses to reports of crime. The council is considering fees, taxes or a levy as possible ways to fund additional police staff. A levy would need voter approval, and a fee or tax would come before the council in a public hearing. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy