Stimulus In Maine

Alright, some details about police funding in Maine came from Susan Collins recently. It can be seen here:
http://senatorcollins.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-than-5-million-in-police-funding.html

So, here is a quick rundown of the 5 million dollar funding (each city gets 1 officer unless otherwise stated, details of officer employment after the list) :

City of Auburn (2 officers) - $374,120
• Baileyville Police Department - $209,336
• City of Bangor (4 officers) - $704,880
• Town of Boothbay Harbor - $185,180
• Caribou Police Department - $177,206
• Dexter-Foxcroft Police Department - $180,085
• Fryeburg Police Department - $143,199
• Lewiston Police Department (2 officers) - $350,412
• Mexico Police Department - $180,017
• Milo Police Department - $135,492
• Newport Police Department - $168,490
• Norway Police Department - $149, 314
• Penobscot Nation Police Department - $149,314
• City of Portland (6 officers) - $882,528
• Sanford Police Department (2 officers) - $411,362
• Town of Skowhegan - $147,308
• Westbrook Police Department (2 officers) - $375,074
• Winthrop Police Department - $175,101

The grants will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for entry level officer positions over a three-year period. Police departments receiving the grants will then be required to retain the grant-funded positions for a fourth year.

Excerpt over. So, why does one officer for three years cost Baileyville $65,000 more than an officer with the same deal in Milo?

Also, requiring the officers for a fourth year without funding is a terrible idea. What if the funds can't be raised? It means that position is saved, but an older officer will be rushed out, or a younger one with fewer benefits. That added requirement will burden those cities in four years and there will be very tough decisions. Now, the budget in my term on the council will be nearing a close, but the budget for the next year will be part of my term and this burden will have to be dealt with.

So I've decided to come up with a plan to make certain no officers are required to be laid off when that fourth year burden comes to the Bangor budget. However, the first thing I must do is see if there is a plan already in place. So I have contacted the Bangor city council and when I get a response this will have a part 2.