Special meeting held regarding public safety and tax spending

The El Centro Chamber of Commerce and El Centro Police Officers Association held a special town hall meeting Wednesday evening.

The meeting focused on two major topics, public safety and the spending of Measure P funds.

News 11 has more on some the communities concerns.

Few members from the community attended the meeting, but a panel of four did address a number of questions.

El Centro City Council responded to questions regarding collections of sales tax which they hope will generate 5 million dollars annually.

“At this point it’s premature to determine whether or not we are going to reach that target because as I pointed out, we started collecting the tax on April 1st, we just received the first quarter of those revenues and again that presentation and information is going to be provided at the September 19th council meeting,” said Marcela Piedra, Deputy City Manager.

Other concerns addressed the lack of police officers and spending funds on a new police station and public library.

“The entire council recognized the need for more police officers. We made it very clear that this money would be used for things such as parks, a new police department facility and a new library facility, and that was a commitment we made to the public regarding Measure P,” said Jason Jackson, Council Member, City of El Centro.

“If that new police station does get built, you’re saying it won’t be any new officer hired in there, that’s what you’re saying,” exclaimed Bryan Walker, Business Owner.

“Measure P money was not allocated or was not designated for personnel, staffing, raises, any of that. So we will address it as we can but we are going to be trying to find other monies for that,” explained Jackson.

The increase of transients in the community was also brought up by the Police Officers Association, asking the city council to take a look at their responsibilities.

“How bad would it have to get before you say you know what, we are not going to take Measure P to build a library, we’re going to take it and invest it in our city employees,” asked James Thompson, President with the Police Officers Association.

“I do want to extend the invitation for the council meeting of September 19th, there are a lot of obviously concerns. I would really encourage you to go to that meeting and express your thoughts and your priorities,” added Piedra.