HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/2007, PH1 - EXPENDITURE PLAN FOR 2007-08 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND M«ti�p Dare
council9-18-07
Ac,EnoA Repont Im.N.W, ,
CITY O F SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Deborah Linden, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: EXPENDITURE PLAN FOR 2007-08 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENTAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving an expenditure plan for $100,000 from the 2007-08 California
Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) to continue funding the salary and
benefits for a Police Field Services Technician and a Communications Technician.
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) program, also known as
the Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant, provides annual funding to cities for the
delivery of front line police services that are not already funded (or are under funded) by the
local jurisdiction. State law requires that these funds be appropriated pursuant to a written
request from the Chief of Police to the City Council and the request must be considered separate
and apart from any proposed law enforcement allocations from the General Fund, In addition,
the City must establish a separate interest-bearing fund to record the receipt and expenditures of
monies received pursuant to the program.
The Police Department has been receiving SLESF funds for over eight years and Council has
approved the partial funding of a Field Services Technician position and a Communications
Technician position with the funding. Staff is recommending this year's allocation be used to
continue funding these positions.
The SLESF program requires that the City Council approve the use of funds at a formally
noticed public hearing.
Proposed Funding
1. Continue funding a Police Field Services Technician (FST)position.
Council originally approved funding for this position through the SLESF program in February
1998 as part of the 1997-98 mid-year budget review. Since then, Council has allocated SLESF
funding for this position annually. Police Field Services Technicians perform a wide variety of
duties including: Traffic control at accident scenes, abandoned vehicle management,
Council Agenda Report–Expenditure Plan for 2007-08 SLESF Grant Funds Page 2
fingerprinting, and evidence and property inventory management. The specific FST position
funded through the SLESF program has primary responsibility for the management of evidence
and seized property at the Police Department. The SLESF program funds a portion of the cost of
the FST position, which totals approximately $67,300 for salary and benefits.
2. Continue funding a Communications Technician position.
Communications Technicians (dispatchers) provide direct service to the public and front line
police and fire personnel. In October 2000, the Council approved funding for an additional
Communications Technician through the SLESF program. Since then, Council has allocated
SLESF funding for this position annually. The SLESF program funds a portion of the cost of the
Communications Technician position, which totals approximately $77,500 for salary and
benefits.
With the recommended action, the City will maintain valuable public safety resources and will
also demonstrate our commitment to the intent of the grant legislation, which is to provide front
line municipal police services to local communities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Short-Term. The $100,000 SLESF revenue was accurately reflected in the Police revenue
projections for FY 2007-08. Both the SLESF revenue and the additional general fund
allocations for the FST and Communications Technician positions are reflected in the approved
2007-08 City budget. There will be no additional net impact to the General Fund for FY 2007-
08.
Funding Funding Salary and
Amount Percentage Benefits
Funding Sources
2007-08 SLESF COPS Grant Funds $100,000 69%
-City General Fund Contributions $44,800 31%
Public Safety Personnel Costs
Police Field Services Technician $67,300
Police and Fire Communications Technician $77,500
Total $1449800 100% $144,800
Long-Term. Recent State budget negotiations resulted in the extension of the SLESF program
indefinitely and the SLESF funding was approved as part of the 2007-08 State budget. If,
however, for some unforeseen reason allocations were not forthcoming in subsequent State
budgets, then additional General Fund commitments would be necessary to maintain these
positions.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not approve the use of 2007-08 SLESF funds for these positions. This alternative is
not recommended. The SLESF funds are allocated by the State to local jurisdictions for
the provision of front-line law enforcement services. The use of the allocation for the
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Council Agenda Report—Expenditure Plan for 2007-08 SLESF Grant Funds Page 3
continued funding of an FST and a Communications Technician fulfills this purpose in a
cost effective manner. These positions perform critical services within the Police
Department and in our community.
2. Utilize the SLESF funds for another law enforcement purpose. Council could direct staff
to explore other uses for the state funds, such as other police positions. Staff does not
recommend changing the use of the SLESF funds at this time. Both the FST and
Communications Technician funded by the SLESF program perform valuable and
necessary services and the loss of these positions would create significant workload and
scheduling challenges for the Police Department.
ATTACHMENT;
Resolution approving expenditure plan for $100,000 from the California SLESF COPS
program for continued funding of public safety personnel.
G:\BusinessOffice\Grants\COPS\State COPS Funds\Council Agenda Report\SLESF 07-08grant agenda.doc
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C.
RESOLUTION NO. (2007 Series)
ATTACHMENT 1
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
APPROVING AN EXPENDITURE OF $100,000 FROM THE 2007-08 STATE
BUDGET TO CONTINUE FUNDING PUBLIC SATETY PESONNEL
WHEREAS, the adoption of the 2007-08 State budget, includes continuation of
AB 1913 which established the Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Fund; and
WHEREAS, AB 1913 appropriated$100 million to supplement local law
enforcement budgets; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has received $100,000 from the 2007-
08 California State budget as granted under AB 1913; and
WHEREAS, the funds may be applied to projects and front line municipal police
services which are in existing budgets but are under-funded; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on September 18, 2007, to receive public
input on the recommendations for the use of these funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San
Luis Obispo approves the expenditure of$100,000 as received from the 2007-08
California State budget to assist in funding Public Safety personnel, and authorizes the
Chief of Police to execute any grant related documents.
Upon motion of , seconded by , and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 2007.
ATTEST:
Audrey Hooper David F. Romero, Mayor
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Jonat .Lowell
ity Attorney
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