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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/2011, PH 1 - EXPENDITURE PLAN FOR 2011-12 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND 2011-12 SLESF Expenditure-Plan September 20, 2011 council °M September 20,2011 j ac,Enaa i.epont CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Deborah Linden, Chief of Police Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: EXPENDITURE PLAN FOR 2011-12 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution approving an expenditure plan for $100,000 from the 2011-12 California Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) to continue funding the salary and benefits for a Police Department Communications Technician. DISCUSSION The California Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) program, also known as the Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant, has provided annual funding to cities for the delivery of front line law enforcement 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 City's General Fund. The SLESF program requires the City Council approve the use of funds at a formally noticed public hearing. The Police Department has been receiving SLESF funds for over ten years. Since 2008, the Council has authorized the use of the SLESF appropriation to partially fund an existing Communications Technician position. Staff recommends this year's allocation be used to fund the same position. Communications Technicians (dispatchers) provide direct and critical law enforcement services to the public by receiving 9-1-1 calls and other requests for assistance and by dispatching police and fire units within the City. The total annual cost for the Communications Technician position is approximately $116,587 for salary and benefits. The SLESF funding will offset $100,000 of this cost. The remainder has already been allocated from the General Fund in the Police Department's 2011-12 budget. FISCAL IMPACT The $100,000 SLESF revenue was not reflected in the 2011 -13 Financial Plan because the funding for the program was not included in the proposed State budget. However, Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenues were anticipated in the Financial Plan. When the State budget was adopted, the COPS grant was funded but the VLF was not included. There is no significant impact of this change on the General Fund. PH1-1 2011-12 SLESF Expenditure Plan '-September 20, 2011 Funding '-Funding :_' Salary and: _Amount. _ Percenta e__: _ .Bene - Funding Sources 2011-12 SLESF COPS Grant Funds $100,000 85.77% City General Fund Contributions $16,587 14.23% Public Safety Personnel Costs Police Communications Technician $116,581 Total $1169587 100% $116,587 ALTERNATIVES 1. Do not approve the use of 2010-11 SLESF funds for thisgosition. 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 continued funding of a Communications Technician fulfills this purpose in a cost effective manner. This position performs critical services within the Police Department and in the community. 2. Utilize the SLESF funds for another law enforcement numose. 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. The Communications Technician funded by the SLESF program performs valuable and necessary services and the loss of this position would create significant workload and scheduling challenges for the Police Department. One Communications Technician position was already eliminated with the adoption of the 2011-13 Financial Plan; the loss of another position would be extremely difficult to mitigate. ATTACHMENT Resolution approving expenditure plan for$100,000 from the California SLESF COPS program for continued funding of a public safety personnel position. T:\Council Agenda ReportsTolice CAR\201 I\SLESF 2011-12 Gmnt CAR.doc PH1-2 0 O ATTACHMENT RESOLUTION NO. (2011 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING AN EXPENDITURE OF $100,000 FROM THE 2011-12 STATE BUDGET TO CONTINUE FUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL WHEREAS,the adoption of the 2011-12 State budget includes continuation of AB 1913 which established the Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Fund; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has been allocated $100,000 from the 2011-12 California State budget as granted under AB 1913; and WHEREAS, the funds may be used to provide front line municipal police services which are not already funded or are under-funded; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on September 20, 2011, 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 2011-12 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 2011. ATTEST: Elaina Cano Mayor Jan Marx City Clerk AP� VED AS ORM: OChristine Dietrick City Attorney PH1-3