WAITE PARK -- The city of Waite Park is looking to add another full time police officer to it's department.

The Waite Park City Council held their first budget work session yesterday (Wednesday) to review the 2015 preliminary budget.

City Administrator Shaunna Johnson says at the moment the city is looking at a 9% increase for the 2015 city budget.

The increase would cover street maintenance, street lights and hiring a new full time police officer.

Waite Park Police Chief Dave Bentrud says the potential new hire is part of the departments five year plan.

If the proposed budget is approved the department would have 16 full time officers on staff.

Bentrud says the additional officer will help reduce the number of hours officers are on call.

The city of St. Cloud has presented a similar proposal in there 2015 budget, with hopes of hiring five new police officers.

The Waite Park City Council will go over the budget proposal this fall, and must pass a final budget by the end of the year.

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