Mayor R.T. Rybak on Wednesday proposed a 2007 city budget that would include $200 million in spending on public safety--enough to bring police staffing back to 2002 levels while investing in a variety of technology designed to make local law enforcement more effective.

“Minneapolis faces a serious public safety challenge that requires us to continue to make significant investments to fight crime,” Rybak said in La Prensa de Minnesota. “The budget I am delivering today will do just that: fund 43 new police officers, invest $1 million in each of the next two years in public safety technology and advance a series of initiatives that attack the root causes of crime.”

This new initiative is focused on four core principles, Rybak said: tough enforcement, crime prevention, protecting livability, and demanding clear accountability.

“We are sending a strong message to young offenders--especially those in the barbaric gangs responsible for random deaths--that no matter how old they are they will be held accountable.”

Despite the increase in public safety funding, Rybak is actually proposing to cut city expenditures by about $23.2 million from 2006 levels, while projecting an $8.6 million increase in revenues. The biggest loser of the city departments is the Community Development and Economic Planning agency, which would see its budget cut by $5.1 million. Other cuts will come out of capital improvements ($27.4 million) and the Park Board ($9.2 million).

The City Council will debate the budget over the next three months before approving a plan in December.