Manteca plans on filling three more police officer positions and hire three additional firefighters in the coming fiscal year starting July l.

That would not be happening, however if it wasn’t for the extra half cent sales tax Manteca has been collecting since voters approved Measure M back in 2006 for front line public safety positions.

The proposed $67.2 million general fund budget the council will consider for adoption for the 2022-2023 fiscal year when  they meet later this month only has enough funds to add a police officer trainee.

It should be noted that while the budget message has funding set aside for the six Measure M positions, there is language that it won’t happen until after a mid-year review of the city’s finances. This year the mid-year budget review took place in March instead of January.

The three fighters are a third of the staffing the fire department needs to add an additional engine company at the Union Road station. Not only is it the busiest station in Manteca, but it is situated to serve more than 3,000 homes expected to be built over the next five to six years south of the 120 Bypass.

The Measure M police positions being added include a lieutenant and two patrol officers.

Once the six new public safety positions are filled, it means Measure M will fund 21 firefighters and 21 police officers or close to a quarter of all of the city’s frontline public safety positions.

Measure M is expected to generate $10.2 million in the next fiscal year. It is restricted for the use of frontline public safety positions.

Manteca currently has 74 positions authorized for officers on the street and 45 firefighters that man engine companies.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com