Ombudsman Funding

Well, my understanding of the whys, wherefores and reasoning behind why decisions are made in council meetings have got me thoroughly confused again as to any logical explanation to the latest decision.

Police only have to be accountable for less than two incidents per day. When 20 years ago officers handled 20. But, have an ombudsman want enough people to effectively investigate the foul ups of the officer who has way too much time on their hands. Then she is scrutinized, and the Police department is rewarded with even less work to do by hiring more officers that don't have to do anything more than respond to one call a day. You tell me what makes sense? I'm more than happy to listen.

Flint puts off funding request

Ombudsman wants to hire investigators

FLINT

THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION

Thursday, July 06, 2006

By Robert Snell

rsnell@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6302

FLINT - New ombudsman, same old problem: not enough money.

But the City Council on Wednesday decided to wait two weeks before approving a $181,684 request to hire two investigators.

Without the staff, Ombudsman Brenda Purifoy said her office will be unable to promptly investigate citizen complaints about city services.

Some council members said it was premature to ask for more money, especially five days into the new fiscal year, though the request would have restored some money cut last month.

The office has plenty of money to run," 9th Ward Councilman Scott Kincaid said. "They're not in a crisis situation."

The request will be reconsidered July 19.

Councilman Sheldon Neeley wants time to assess the department's needs and operations.

"I want to see where the office has come from, how many complaints they've received and how they've responded," the 6th Ward councilman said.

The budget amendment would bring the office's budget to $411,000, which would be about $200,000 more than last year. The city would have to dip into its surplus, which is projected to be about $8 million.

If approved, the office would have three investigators and a clerical worker, which is one investigator shy of Purifoy's ideal situation. She proposed assigning one investigator to each quadrant of the city.

Right now, the office consists of Purifoy, who was appointed May 8, and a full-time clerk handling a growing list of complaints.

There were 457 unresolved complaints before her appointment and she has fielded 120 written complaints in less than two months. Purifoy also has referred about 350 complaints to other offices.

The workload has not been a surprise considering the office had been vacant since January, she said. "Citizens were just waiting," said Purifoy, a retired Flint police sergeant. "They needed a place to come and vent - a place to feel as though they could receive some assistance."

If the city approves the increase, the office's new budget would still be less than initially proposed.

On June 5, the City Council cut the ombudsman's $460,000 budget in half and gave the money to the police department to hire more officers.