Amador County – Officials from Amador county’s five incorporated cities are seeking ways to retain law enforcement funding now being considered for cuts by the state legislature. Each city currently receives a per capita allocation of $100,000 through the Citizens' Option for Public Safety program, or COPS. This is a program that officials say is vital funding for the small police departments. The COPS program offers cities and counties funding for law enforcement ranging from police officers to district attorney funding to jail construction. The California Legislative Analyst’s Office has recommended funding be cut in half, but the details of that proposal are still vague. Ione City Manager Kim Merr says COPS funding pays for 98 percent of an officer’s costs. “We are estimating that the Police Department’s costs for personnel only next year will be approximately $840,000. We have four police officers positions, one sergeant, records clerk and chief included in the personnel costs,” she said. Ione has not received the full amount of COPS funding for the current year and is concerned that the State will continue to slow pay these payments next year. According to Jeff Gardner, part-time contract Finance Director for the cities of Sutter Creek and Plymouth, these cities are able to fund approximately three-quarters of the cost of one full-time officer position through the program. Gardner said “Plymouth was forced to abandon its law enforcement services approximately 25 years ago and went a long time without its own force.” A police presence hasn’t exactly been necessary as Plymouth’s population has decreased by 10 percent since that time, said Gardner. Sutter Creek, which has approximately 2 and a half times the population of Plymouth, greater growth and greater turnover in population, has kept a strong commitment to retaining its own police force. Gardner said COPS funding accounts for 10 percent of Sutter Creek’s $1 million yearly police budget. The rest of the police budget comes from the city’s general fund, currently in a deficit balance. The City of Jackson has frozen 1 division and hasn’t purchased any new equipment or vehicles. In the face of budget cutbacks and shortages, Jackson City Manager Mike Daly and staff remains proactive. Jackson has applied for federal COPS program assistance made available through stimulus funding. “Part of this application was that if you didn’t get this funding, you’ll have to lay an officer off,” said Daly. He said they should hear whether they qualify by September 30. Jackson has benefited from $81,000 made available through the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Funds, which are received by the state from Indian tribes pursuant to the terms of tribal-state gaming compacts. The League of California Cities, an organization that lobbies for local government, is also working to help save the funds. The league recently brought city officials from across the state to a budget subcommittee hearing to speak and advocate for the program, said Dave Mullinax, a public affairs manager for the league. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.