TenHaken says budget proposal ‘doubles down’ on public safety
Cost estimates in the works for new neighborhood aquatic centers
Mayor Paul TenHaken will ask the Sioux Falls City Council to approve funding for 24 new positions in next year’s budget – more than half of them for public safety.
The request was part of TenHaken’s $790.1 million budget proposal that he delivered to the council Thursday. TenHaken framed his budget as one that delivers city services while planning for future needs – including the water plant expansion, road construction, new pools and additional recreation trail miles – all in an economic environment that is clouded by uncertainty because of inflation.
Of the 24 new positions, seven are police officers and six others are for staff of the public safety campus, which includes 911 dispatch. He called it “doubling down” on public safety, although the mayor acknowledged that hiring new police officers has been difficult.
“We’re not alone in this,” he said. “It’s been a challenge across the nation.”
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