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` CITY OF NOAT H OLMSTED Mayor Thomas O'Grady March 27, 2006 Subject: Item Veto of Ordinance 2006-50 To All of Council, With this letter I state my disapproval of and apply my veto to those items and parts of Ordinance 2006-50, which, as a result of an amendment adopted on the floor of Council on March 21, 2006, provide funding for the employment of an additional Corrections Officer (CO) in the Police Department. Ordinance 2006-50, as originally prepared by the Administration and submitted to Council did not include any funding for this additional position in the Police Department. My objections are based largely upon the fact that this addition was done without the request of the Administration, and without any consultation with the Administration. Additionally, since there was no discussion of adding this position during the open committee meetings, it is clear that the Finance Committee's decision to recommend an amendment to Ordinance 2006-50 to provide funding for this additional position was initiated outside of the committee process. Such action is contrary to the idea of open government, and it is unfortunate that the Committee chose secrecy over open discussion on this matter. Regarding the issue of liability, risk management sees no concerns with current staffing levels among our COs. Auxiliary Officers are trained and handle routine actions at the jail as needed. Chief Ruple has stated that the North Olmsted Police Department complies with all policies and procedures in its operation of the jail. With the current CO Union agreement in place, Chief Ruple would not expect to see any appreciable reduction in risk with three COs instead of two. Police Chief Ruple, Safety Director Terbrack, and I are on record as not requesting funding for this position, and as opposing the reductions that were made in other line items in the Police Department budget in order to provide funding for the additional CO position. If the other members of Council uphold my veto, it is my intent to quickly return to Council with a budget adjustment to make those reduced line items in the Police Department whole. The other cuts made by the committee without consultation with my Administration can be discussed at a later date. Sincerely, Thomas E. O'Grady Mayor Cf: Directors ~ 5200 Dover Center Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070 -Phone: (440) 716-4140 -Fax: (440) 777-2345 ~~ MayorOGradyG~north-olmsted.com - www.north-olmsted.com ®. ,~"~ ~ n