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The city will soon have its 27th sworn police officer.

The City Council last week unanimously approved amending an ordinance to allow the department to operate with 19 patrol officers. Other members of the Police Department include five sergeants, two lieutenants and the chief.

The $31,600 for the new officer’s salary, benefits, uniform and related costs were included in the 1994-95 fiscal budget.

Chief William Kidwell said the new officer will take the place on the patrol schedule of Officer Tim Baker, who will become the department’s liaison to Geneva High School in August. Kidwell said Geneva Unit School District 301 will reimburse the city for half expense of assigning Baker full-time to the high school.