Police guild backs tax increase proposals

The Spokane Police Guild threw its support this week behind two proposed tax increases, but did not commit to any reductions in health care benefits under Mayor Jim West’s plan to forestall potential layoffs in the police and fire departments.

On Monday, the City Council will get its first look at West’s proposed 2006 budget, which is built on the premise that two tax increases and employee benefits concessions will win approval, erasing a projected $6.5 million cash shortfall.

In supporting the two tax measures, the guild in a letter Wednesday said the money is needed to “ensure that staffing levels do not fall further beyond the inadequate levels in place. Further reductions will result in lower levels of community and officer safety.”

The letter noted that 28 officers and 20 support staff have been cut since 2002 and 22 more officers “suffered forced rank reductions.”

West is asking voters to approve a $3.3 million increase in property taxes for two years at the same time the City Council is being asked to raise the tax on city utilities from 17 percent to 20 percent, also for two years. In addition, city labor groups, including the police guild, are being asked to give back $1.9 million in health benefits.

Talks between city management and labor are continuing, and one top official reported a possible breakthrough on $200,000 worth of proposed dental insurance givebacks.

West’s negotiators are also seeking increases in charges to beneficiaries as well as reductions in coverage in health care plans that have not changed substantially in nearly 20 years.

Police guild President Chuck Reisenauer said, “Will it happen the way it’s been presented? Probably not,” in part because the city has less than two months to finalize its 2006 budget.

The $1.9 million in proposed health care givebacks includes workers across city government, with about $850,000 of that amount being sought from departments in the general tax fund, including police, fire, libraries, streets and planning.

Reisenauer questioned the $850,000 figure, saying his calculations show the potential proposed cost shift is closer to $450,000.

Reisenauer said that he hasn’t taken the dental benefits proposal back to police officers for a vote.

“We are working with the city to look at some of these issues,” he said. “But there are contracts in place that were negotiated in good faith, and the city needs to honor those.”

For example, the union that represents rank-and-file employees agreed at the start of 2004 to a contract that guarantees the same level of benefits for the life of the contract through 2006.

“Before the ink got dry, the city was asking for concessions,” Reisenauer said. “By them exposing us to criticism over the $850,000 wasn’t a good idea. The employees were like, ‘Wait a minute. This is not our fault.’ But the reality is we are all there working and talking.”

The negotiations are unprecedented in labor relations in the city.

“For some people, it’s easier to increase co-pays. But for other people it’s a real issue,” he said. “How do you balance that into a … viable program that doesn’t hurt someone who doesn’t make as much and is struggling to feed their family?”

Despite differences of opinion on the budget figure, Reisenauer agrees with Police Chief Roger Bragdon and Fire Chief Bobby Williams that the tax increases are needed to avoid even more layoffs.

Bragdon said earlier this month that the staffing problems have caused more than 2,400 calls to go unanswered and have left a majority of solvable property crimes uninvestigated.

“These officers are so frustrated when they come to work,” Reisenauer said, “because they want to answer every emergency call that comes in.”

In the meantime, the unions will continue to meet.

“What we are trying to do is come up with ideas and long-term solutions,” he said.

“The problem was not created by the people working here. It was created by the circumstances, the economy and just the fallout from everything that has happened from the last few months and years.”

Voters will be asked to raise the regular property tax levy Nov. 8 by 32 cents per $1,000 in assessed valuation – about $48 on a house assessed at $150,000 – for two years.