Minneapolis City Council members on Monday gave their first approval to a plan that would move nearly $8 million from the Police Department to other city services — and postpone some staffing decisions until next year.
During a 4 ½-hour meeting Monday, they also agreed to create a new fund that could offset some of those cuts, if the council votes again to approve the release of the money. They also voted to reduce the target number of officers in future years.
Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement late Monday that he was deeply opposed to changing the longer-term staffing plans before the city receives the results of a staffing study due back next year.
"We continue to stand ready to collaborate and support the safety beyond policing initiatives," he said, "but I am actively considering a veto due to the massive, permanent cut to officer capacity."
As they debated the details of next year's budget, council members said they were trying to strike a balance between protecting people from violent crime and fulfilling a promise to transform public safety after George Floyd's death.
Council Member Jamal Osman said he hears from residents who want to increase mental health services and find alternatives to some police calls. But, he said, some residents said they worry about reducing police overtime and staffing in a violent year.
"How can we come together to make sure we are funding these great programs in a great alternative way, at the same time keeping our community safe?" he asked rhetorically.
The changes, which come up for final approval Wednesday night, are part of the city's efforts to pass a 2021 budget, its first full one since Floyd died and a majority of council members pledged to work toward ending the Police Department.