While Miami-Dade County is discussing possible layoffs of cops and rescue workers, Miami Commissioners told Mayor Tomas Regalado to try to bring back a proposal to hire 100 new police officers, according to the Miami Herald.
If the measure passed, it would increase the size of Miami’s police force to roughly 1,300, the Herald reported. City commissioners voted to hire 95 officers last year, but haven’t been able to fill all of the positions.
The commission did complicate matters by setting the city’s tax rate which will drop to approximately $8.38 per $1,000 of a property assessed value, the Herald reported. Much like with the county, once the rate is set, it can be lowered, but it can’t be raised.
The Herald reported that city manager Daniel Alfonso said hiring 20 officers was more responsible. Alfonso said the city would have a $17 million surplus from the current fiscal year and could get another $13 million from a referendum in the fall, according to the Herald.
