The city council gave preliminary approval on a measure to increase the off-duty police administrative fee by $5 to generate $441,130 in new revenue, according to municipal documents.
Under the revised ordinance the city will charge $15 per hour in administrative fee for off-duty police employment. Currently, the city charges a $10 per hour fee, according to the city ordinance.
The fees are paid by companies and organizations that utilize off-duty police officers. The city’s administrative fee, once given final passage, will be the highest of the state’s three largest cities, according to a review of ordinances in Newark and Jersey City.
Off-duty police administrative fee is $5 in Newark and $12 in Jersey City.
Alex Cruz, president of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), union that represents police officers, did not respond to a call for comment for this story.
Council members gave preliminary approval to the fee increase last Tuesday night. Councilman Luis Velez wanted to increase the marked vehicle fee from $15 per hour to a much higher amount.
“At this time, if you go to get any rental car, you pay $21 an hour for a mid-size car,” said Velez. “Our vehicles cost a lot of money to taxpayers. $15 is not enough. It should be more.”
Newark and Jersey City charge $10 per hour for marked police vehicles.
Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres’ administration reckons the $5 increase in administrative fee will produce $441,130 in annual revenue, according to a revenue enhancement plan the administration submitted to the state last month.
Council members will hold a public hearing and take a final vote on the fee increasing measure on October 11th, 2016, said city officials.
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