HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - COPS-SLESF Recommended Allocation - 9/7/2010CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 7, 2010 ITEM NUMBER: Item Number
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDED ALLOCATION OF FY 2010-2011 CITIZENS' OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY / SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND
DATE: AUGUST 18, 2010
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTATION CHRISTOPHER SHAWKEY, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BRYAN GLASS, LIEUTENANT 714.754.5603
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve staff's recommendation to allocate the FY 2010-2011 Citizens' Options for Public
Safety / Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (COPS / SLESF) to the Police
Department's operating budget.
BACKGROUND:
Assembly Bill (AB 3229) Citizens' Option for Public Safety was passed in FY 1996-1997
to provide local government supplemental funds for front-line law enforcement service.
The City of Costa Mesa has participated in the program since that time and has
received over $2.2 million from SLESF allocations. Through written requests from the
Chief of Police, SLESF has enabled the Police Department to fund needed officer
positions, equipment, and/or technology.
AB 3229 also requires the recipient agency to conduct a public hearing regarding
allocation of the SLESF fund.
ANALYSIS:
In FY 2002-2003, SLESF changed its format to require a General Description of Planned
Expenditures before appropriating funds to the recipient agencies. The annual allocation to
the City of Costa Mesa can not be predetermined due to the State's fiscal constraints;
however, there is a minimal annual allocation of $100,000 to recipients. Staff from the
Police Department and Finance have considered various options for the use of these funds
and evaluated alternatives in conjunction with short-term and long-term needs of the
Department.
The grant funds are designated for three areas: personnel, equipment, and technology.
Additionally, the grant specifies the funds are specifically for front-line law enforcement use
and funds cannot supplant existing equipment or programs. Based on these facts, the
Police Department recommends the City Council consider and approve the allocation be
designated toward funding one (1) Police Sergeant Position.
1
Since 1998, the City has designated its annual SLESF allocation toward funding an
additional police sergeant position in the Field Operations Division. This position was
required to provide additional field supervision to meet the factors of performance
expectation, liability potential, and proximity supervision to subordinates. To continue this
supervision requirement, staff recommends that the police sergeant position initially funded
in FY 1998-1999 again be funded from the SLESF fund.
The continued funding of personnel is in compliance with the legislative intent of SLESF,
which is to expend these funds for additional personnel and/or overtime.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Not required on this item.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The adopted budget for FY 2010-2011 anticipated receiving approximately $141,750 from
the state for the SLESF fund plus approximately $100,000 transfer from the General Fund.
Based on these estimates, $211,312 has been appropriated to fund a police sergeant
position, including overtime cost.
LEGAL REVIEW:
Not required on this item.
CONCLUSION:
Based upon the criteria outlined in COPS / SLESF, staff recommends that the FY 2010-
2011 allocation of funds be used for the purpose presented.
CHRISTOPHER SHAWKEY COLLEEN O'DONOGHUE
Chief of Police
I�Yelelei 21:4VA
Field Operations Captain
Assistant Finance Director
FY 2010-11 COPS/ SLESF FUND Date Time
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