KILLEEN (September 21, 2012)-In less than a year, the Killeen Police Department should have 12 new officers on the street.

As a result of a City Council vote earlier this month, the city will begin the process of hiring the officers, who must complete the city's Police Academy next June before they can hit the streets.

The council also approved a 2 percent pay raise for all city employees, which should begin showing up in paychecks in the spring.

The council also approved a fire-training program.

The cost of the raises and the additional officers are covered by reserve funds and won't affect taxes, a city spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said there was an additional $800,000 in reserve funds.

The city works to keep the fund balance at around 25 percent in order to keep interest rates low.