City employees, including police and firemen, have to take at least a 1.5 % pay DECREASE next year (while higher ups get their standard 5%) but they can afford to add another officer ??? What about keeping the officers PTC has? Do they not realize that this will be last straw for many good, hard working, respectable officers that are already looking to get out from under "Chief" Murray?

Money from a surplus is not tax money? Adding someone this year won't affect next year? What are you going to do, fire them? I think some clarity is needed, surely our council isn't this secretive. I still say: pay them 50% more money now, the ones you have, and fire them if they don't do the job. At least they would make a good living while trying, and it would certainly attract more people. You get what you pay for, usually, unless politics is involved. What does "doing the job" mean? If I have to tell you everything, what good are you?