HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/01/2011 03C Citizen Service Request Response RE: Miscellaneous Questions c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Yakima City Council
FR: Michael Morales, Acting City Manager
DT: January 24, 2011
RE: Citizen response — Deanna Pemberton
At the December 7, 2010 Council meeting, Deanna Pemberton asked several questions.
Below are the answers to her questions.
1. How many firefighters do we have?
The City of Yakima currently has 78 firefighters.
2. What funding will pay for the GFI consultant?
The funding for the GFI consultant comes out of the general fund.
3. Who is on the budget committee?
Mayor Cawley, Assistant Mayor Coffey, and Councilmember Lover make
up the Council Budget Committee.
4. Have you looked into lowering benefits with unions e.g. medical /dental?
Medical /dental benefits are a negotiated benefit with the unions — the
Council /administration cannot unilaterally lower those benefits.
Deanna attended the Council meeting on January 4, 2011 and had some additional
questions. Below are the answers to those questions (which former Assistant City
Manager Dave Zabell addressed with her that evening).
1. What is the average number of police per 1,000 citizens?
The Western States average is 1.8 officers per 1,000 citizens (nationally it
is 2.3 per 1, 000).
2. How many officers is Yakima below the standard?
The Yakima Police Department is at 1.6 officers per 1,000 citizens which
means an additional 17 officers would need to be added in order to equal
the Western States average.