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increase the contribution to street maintenance by $315,000 per year over the next five years.
These funds will initially be used to apply an asphalt overlay to streets that are nearing a point
where an overlay will not be adequate. Once the streets in the worst condition are addressed
we will start increasing funding to slurry seal and crack sealing projects as a means of
preventing street deterioration.

Cost: $315,000

Ambulance Staffing

Since 2010 Fire and EMS calls have increased by 26%, and they continue to increase at an
average of 2% per year. Beyond the new residents that are moving in, our existing residents
are growing older. Statistically, older individuals require more emergency medical treatment
than younger residents. Currently, we have 3 full-time ambulances and a fourth ambulance
unit that is cross-staffed with a truck company and can answer calls whenever the truck
company is not in service. We are reaching the point where the call demands cannot be met
through the existing 3 full-time and 1 part-time ambulance units. The call load per ambulance
unit is significantly higher than other area cities, and response times are increasing as the
closest available unit may have to travel farther because the unit for that district is already on
a call. Staffing for the additional ambulance will be added in the middle of the fiscal year in
order to reduce the impact to the 2018/19 budget.

Cost: $258,763

Police Patrol Officers

2001 was the last year Police Patrol Officer positions were added to the Police Department
when our population was approximately 56,000. With a 25% increase in population, it is
natural that we would see an increase in demand for police service. Over the past 3 years our
calls for service have been increasing at an annual average rate of 2% per year. A study of
patrol staffing needs was done by the University of North Texas Department Of Criminal
Justice in 2017. This study evaluated numerous factors to determine the number of patrol
officers required to meet established service standards. This study indicated that we have the
appropriate number of officers at this point, but based on projected increases in activity we
need an additional 7 officers by 2022 (4 years). The addition of two patrol officers will provide
the resources to address peak call load times, and enable the Police Department to adequately
meet service standards as well as the expectations of our citizens as confirmed through the
recent Citizens’ Survey. Two Police Officers will be hired in the middle of the fiscal year in
order to reduce the impact to the 2018/19 budget.

Cost: $89,447

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