REDMOND, OR -- Redmond's Police Department will get two new officers, if the City Council approves the proposed budget. The city's Chief Financial Officer Jason Neff says the budget came together slightly ahead of schedule, "Last year, we went three nights. We always have that as if necessary- that third night; and it was not needed this year." 

Neff says the city has higher expenditures this year, "We've had good property tax assessed value growth, so we had that going into this year's budget. But, then we had some headwinds with the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) rates going up, as well as healthcare rates going up; so it made it challenging to bring forward all the priorities that we have." Those priorities include several growth-related projects, "We have the airport; we've got working on a new water facility on the south side of Redmond, and then we're also doing the design for expanding our wastewater treatment facility."

And, they found money for several new hires, "Two new police officers, with one of those being dedicated to the airport full time. And then, we also added staff in our Parks Department, as well as Transportation- our Road maintenance Department." In the 2018, Redmond funded the addition of four other police officers. 

City Council works on the budget with the seven-member volunteer budget committee, but it must be formally voted on by Council in May. If approved, it takes effect July first.