Wildomar Police Service Expected To Be Hot Topic During Special Meeting

Wildomar City Council is scheduled to adopt its 2013-14/15 biennial budget this week during a special meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.

(Click here to see the full budget as proposed. July 1 marks the start of the 2013/14 fiscal year.)

Among key talking points Wednesday night will likely be police service.

According to the proposed budget, the city has cut its law enforcement service by more than half since becoming a city in 2008. Although the proposed two-year budget includes ramping up the number of deputies on patrol and traffic duty, the goal still doesn’t quite reach the fiscal year 2008/09 numbers when deputies were asked to put in 87 patrol hours a day and there was an additional traffic unit.

Over the upcoming two-year period the city hopes to reach its original service levels, but realistically expects to hit 70 patrol hours a day with traffic enforcement by 2014/15, according to the budget documents. However, over the upcoming two-year period, the city is looking to add an additional high-ranking officer, a dedicated Community Services Officer, and funding for youth explorers who train in law enforcement.

In the current fiscal year, the city has budgeted $2,603,100 for police services. In the 2013/14 fiscal year, the proposed budget number actually drops to $1,999,600 and the following year the figure rises to $2,104,900.

The city contracts for its law enforcement services through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The public is encouraged to attend Wednesday night’s special City Council meeting that begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 23873 Clinton Keith Road.

Prior to the meeting, the city will host a special celebration with cake in honor of Wildomar’s 5th birthday. The city incorporated July 1, 2008. Another birthday celebration is planned for July 1 of this year. Click here for more on that story.