Elk Grove, in Northern California, was able to increase the money it spends on public safety due to increased funding from the Wilton Rancheria’s Sky River Casino and a voter approved sales tax increase. The city council June 14 passed a $348 million budget, which was a $53 million increase over last year.
Although the tax increase provided the bulk of the increase, increased fees from the tribal casino accounted for $4 million. The increase will allow the addition of 23 police, which is more than half of the department’s current size, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Acting on surveys of its residents, the city has prioritized public safety and addressing homelessness, among other concerns.
According to Elk Grove City Manager Jason Behrmann, the additional money “is going to have a significant impact on our ability to fight crime and keep our community safe. But it’s going to take time.”
