GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - Galveston Police department says more than 700 people applied for just 15 officer positions, but that it was not immediately clear if the hurricane-damaged city has sufficient money to fund the new salaries.

Hurricane Ike caused widespread destruction when it slammed into Galveston Sept. 13, 2008, flooding about 75 percent of the island and driving property values down.

Police Chief Charles Wiley said the city was still trying to determine how much the lower property values would effect the tax collections that fund city agencies, including the police department.

Wiley said he did not yet know if the city could afford to fill all 15 police officer positions that drew 739 applicants.

The police department, the largest of city agencies, has 170 officers when fully staffed, he said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we do have cuts,” Wiley told the Galveston County Daily News. “I hope not. The city’s still not as financially healthy as it should be or has been in years past.”

Personnel costs make up 75 percent of the police department’s budget, according to Wiley.

Starting annual pay for a police cadet with no experience is $30,000, but increases to $43,128 for experienced officers.

All applicants must take a civil service exam Saturday.