ADMINISTRATION - Joe Huss, Finance Director
Title
AUTHORIZE HIRING OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS AND AMEND THE 2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Background
In previous budget workshops, and in an effort to enhance public safety and provide for additional traffic enforcement in residential neighborhoods, Council has expressed the desire to add two additional patrol officer positions in 2017, bringing the full complement of sworn officers to 63. Since the initial discussion, Council has expressed the desire to staff these positions as soon as possible in 2016. Being that the two patrol positions were not contemplated as the 2016 General Fund Budget was adopted, staff is requesting Council authorization to amend the 2016 General Fund Budget and appropriate additional resources to the Police Patrol Division.
The Police Chief has presented Council with a program wherein the hiring of two new officers by October 1, 2016 would allow for the implementation of a Traffic Enforcement Program at the start of 2017. The 2016 costs associated with the staffing of these two positions beginning October 1, 2016 are as follows:
|
Wages |
$12,125 |
|
Overtime |
$1,500 |
|
Benefits |
$5,660 |
|
Supplies/Equipment |
$9,690 |
|
(uniform, radio, tactical equipment, etc.) |
|
|
Services |
$2,825 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
$31,800 |
Other measures already authorized by the Council include:
• Engaging the engineering firm of Short, Elliot, Hendrickson (SEH) to conduct a traffic study in the area of 119th Avenue and Radisson Road ($6,500)
• The placement of stop signs and digital display signs along 119th Avenue ($11,250)
Additionally, staff is requesting Council authorization to amend the 2016 budget and purchase the following equipment:
• Four field-unit radar devices ($19,800)
• Traffic tracking and management software and equipment ($10,000)
Funding for the budget amendments would be from the General Fund contingency account. The following resolution would provide staff the authorization to use contingency funds, if needed, up to the amounts authorized in the resolution. If at the end of 2016, actual revenue proves to be sufficient to cover the additional costs, or there are savings sufficient that a budget amendment is not necessary, the budget amendment will not be implemented.
Recommendation
Approve the following resolution:
Body
WHEREAS, Sound budgeting principles promote appropriating necessary funds required to accomplish approved objectives; and
WHEREAS, Sound budgeting principles also promote providing for contingencies and unforeseen emergencies so as to not prevent objectives from being met; and
WHEREAS, Appropriations were made in 2016 sufficient for anticipated Police and Public Services activity; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has expressed their desire to fund expanded traffic enforcement activity within the Police Patrol and Public Works Divisions; and
WHEREAS, staff is requesting Council authorization to hire and equip two additional police officers to provide enhanced traffic enforcement; to provide additional funding for traffic consulting services and signage; and
WHEREAS, staff is requesting Council authorization to provide additional funding for traffic consulting services and signage; and
WHEREAS, sufficient contingency funds are held in reserve for to accommodate necessary and expedient budget amendments;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Blaine amends the 2016 General Fund Budget, and authorizes the City Manager to hire two additional police officers and re-appropriate up to $31,800 from the General Fund’s contingency reserve to fund additional traffic enforcement efforts in the following accounts:
• Public Safety Department, Police Patrol Division Wages, 101.40.460.462-4101, in the amount of $12,125
• Public Safety Department, Police Patrol Division Overtime, 101.40.460.462-4102, in the amount of $1,500
• Public Safety Department, Police Patrol Division Overtime, 101.40.460.462-4121, 4122, 4123, 4135, 4151 in the amount of $5,660
• Public Safety Department, Police Patrol Division Supplies, 101.40.460.462-4203, in the amount of $9,690
• Public Safety Department, Police Patrol Division Contractual Services, 101.40.460.462-4399, in the amount of $2,825
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of Blaine amends the 2016 General Fund Budget, and authorizes the City Manager to re-appropriate up to $47,550 from the General Fund’s contingency reserve to fund additional traffic enforcement consulting and equipment purchases in the following accounts:
• Public Services Department, Police Patrol Division Supplies and Equipment, 101.40.460.462-4211, in the amount of $29,800
• Public Services Department, Streets Sign Shop Sub-Division Supplies and Equipment, 101.50.530.533.5306-4211, in the amount of $11.250
• Public Services Department, Engineering Division Professional Services, 101.50.560.561-4301 in the amount of $6,500
PASSED by the City Council this 14th day of July 2016.