Council OKs hiring 2 officers, paying bonuses

Daily Journal staff reports

Franklin will add two police officers and give employees a $1,000 stipend next year.

The Franklin City Council approved spending about $13.7 million in its general fund budget next year, which includes hiring two additional police officers.

Money for the $1,000 one-time payment that each city employee will receive will come out of the city’s savings and will cost the city about $200,000, according to the city clerk’s office.

The council previously approved adding one police officer but added a second officer position to the 2013 budget.

To make room in the budget for the second position, the council cut spending on health insurance by $125,000 and kept three employees as part time, instead of making them full time as had been considered.

Each new officer will cost the city nearly $60,000 in salary, equipment and training costs, according to the clerk’s office.

The city also plans to buy one new police car for $38,000.

Franklin Police Chief Tim O’Sullivan said the department does not have a car for the second officer to be hired. City council member Rob Henderson said he would prefer paying for the car with the city’s savings and not with money from the general fund, which pays salaries and other office expenses.

The city is estimated to bring in about $13.6 million in revenue to be spent in the general fund, according to the clerk’s office.

Mayor Joe McGuinness said the city could receive more money from income taxes that would make up for any shortfall. City offices also saved money that wasn’t spent this year, and he believes they will do that again next year, he said.