I. RECOMMENDATION:
The Chief of Police requests to hire a Police Officer.
II. BACKGROUND:
On February 6, 2020, the chief of police brought before council a request to hire a police officer bringing the department's staffing level to 18 sworn. The chief offered to give up the four paid Reserve Officer positions and agreed to pay the remaining funding for this officer by using some of the departments COPS grant.
This agenda item was approved by a 5-0 vote.
III. DISCUSSION:
After the approval the position it was not filled due to budgetary uncertainty and has gone the majority of fiscal year 20/21 with 17 sworn officers on the books, but because of an officer on medical leave the department has been working with 16 sworn officers. Come March 1, 2021,the department will have 17 sworn officers with the hire of a new officer.
Now that the City's is financially stable, the chief of police is asking to hire the previously approved police officer position which will finally bring the police department to 18 sworn officers.
The cost of this position will be approximately $22,000.00 by the time the interview and backgrounds are completed. The police department will pay this from the department's COPS grant so there will be no financial impact to the city other than the hiring process.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
Council can denies this request.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of approximately $22,000 for the remainder of the current fiscal year will come from the COPS Grant and have no impact to the General Fund.
Beginning in the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year, the cost of the position will be split 50/50 between the COPS Grant and the General Fund. The estimated cost for the position for a full year is $91,000, currently, so the anticipated impact to the General Fund would be approximately $46,000. |