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officers study comparable Police Departments, such as San Mateo, that do use that plan, before they totally dismiss the idea. Councilwoman La Berge said the Report indicated there would be a considerable cost savings if the Department utilized the five eight hour days plan which would require six fewer officers than the currently authorized 48. Captain Vermeer said a full time officer's salary and benefits were about $95,000 per year. Councilwoman La Berge said, although she was not suggesting that plan be adopted, she wondered if that plan would produce a savings of $500,000 to $600,000 per year, and should it be considered at budget time? City Manager Everett said if the Council wanted exact cost figures, staff would be glad to provide them and give a range of magnitude. He added that there were many other variables that must be factored in, such as "overhiring" recommended in the Report. He said, clearly the savings on a five eight plan was large, and the three twelve plan was less large, but substantial. In answer to Council questions regarding data collection, Mr. Heiss said, "I think it is as accurate as anybody could get... We always tried to err on the side of conservatism. .. on the high side of what we think is needed to deal with staffing and work load issues. Those data are as good as you are ever gong to have. I think they stand the test of reason. . .. The only data issue raised here is the question of traffic enforcement, and I just heard that this evening. We used basically information on citation classification counted by the Department, and felt because of the time we had to spend in the much larger area of Patrol operations, that those data were reasonable. I would like to review what was said here and get back to you on that. But in terms of the information on Patrol staffing analysis which is the bulk of the Report, that is good information. That is good solid analysis... You can have the Department use that in coming years both before the new CAD system is in, and after, it will be even easier. It allows you to look at these needs, not emotionally, but consistent with your own service policies in relation to Redwood City." In answer to Council questions regarding Appendix D, Employee Attitude Survey, Mr. Heiss said they sent out questionnaires, and their recommendations were not based solely on the survey results. In answer to Council questions regarding pros and cons of the five eight hour days plan, Officer Sheffield said the recruitment market was very, very competitive and since the four ten hour days plan was overwhelmingly preferred by police officers, adopting a five eight plan would put Redwood City at a distinct disadvantage in the recruitment arena. He said the three twelve plan was not supported by the POA. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 OCTOBER 13,1997 MINUTES Page No. 574 PAGE 13