Hayden to consider levy for law enforcement

A citizens' safety task force is expected to recommend to Hayden City Council members that they ask voters to approve an override levy to pay for additional police presence in the city.

The potential ballot measure is expected to be discussed by the council during its regular meeting at 5 p.m. today.

The Hayden Citizen Task Force planned to bring its recommendation to the council after reaching consensus during the task force's July 6 meeting.

The consensus of the members was for the city to fund 7.5 to 9.5 deputies assigned to Hayden, maintain the school resource officer program and keep officer safety as a high priority. Traffic problems including speeding as well as increasing crime were cited as the reason for the need to increase deputies.

Other areas of importance were noted by the task force:

• Desire to be proactive

• Achieve 24/7 coverage

• Desire for more patrol for safe community

• Increased response time

To fund the increase in deputies, the task force consensus was to recommend to the city council a ballot measure for a levy override, which would allow the city to collect additional taxes beyond the statutory budget increase limit.

A long-term strategic plan for law enforcement services in Hayden was suggested during the task force meeting.

Task force members also discussed sharing information about the need for increased law enforcement through a variety of community meetings. Information would include a method for property owners to calculate the impact an increase would have on their property taxes.

Hayden City Hall is at 8930 N. Government Way.