The Leeds City Council unanimously approved their budget for the upcoming year, adding a line item for the Martin Luther King breakfast contribution for $21,300, which is an increase of $1,500 from the listed amount.

While discussing the budget, councilman Johnny Kile noted that the police budget wasn’t afforded additional funds to accommodate a police presence at the Outlets of Grand River opening later this month.

“There wasn’t any stipulation for any other officers, and I think that’s a grave mistake,” Kile said. “I don’t think our officers can cover the Walmart area and other areas on Highway 25 and then provide services to those people down there as far as security. I know these places in Trussville that were overrun with burglars, car burglars and everything else down there, kids tearing stuff up in stores. We’re fixing to step up to a larger city than we’ve ever seen in our life and I think we’re going to need that extra help down there. And I think at the least there should be at least 2 men per shift so that would be probably another four to six people. “

Patterson noted that the police chief has asked for more officers to be hired, but said he planned to reassess the situation once the tax revenue from the outlet center has started flowing into the city coffers.

“We’re trying to be cautious and hold back and I do agree with you I think it’s a problem.” Patterson said. “If people don’t feel safe, they won’t come, and we’ve got a lot invested in this.”

“We’re out on a limb for $43 million and I don’t want it go to hell in a handbasket because we’ve got people out there breaking into cars and robbing people,” Kile said.