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September 28, 1999
SUBJECT: CONTINUATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING
REPORT IN BRIEF
The State Legislature has appropriated $100 million for supplemental police funding in FY 1999/2000. This is a continuation of the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funding program (SLES) that was provided in FY 1996/1997 from Assembly Bill 3229 (AB 3229). Using a formula based on population, Sunnyvale is expected to receive an estimated $295,694. This report, as required by the legislature, specifies Sunnyvale's front line municipal police services needs, and makes a request for the supplemental personnel, equipment, and programs necessary to meet those needs. In order to be eligible for the funding the City Council must consider these written requests each September and appropriate existing or anticipated monies from the County. Although the State intends this funding to be on-going, fluctuations in the State budget could cause the amount of annual appropriations to fluctuate accordingly.
Customarily the City Council would also consider appropriation of the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG). Due to problems caused by this year’s mandatory online application process, funding is not yet available. A separate report requesting appropriation will be forthcoming in October. At that time, staff will also propose alternative use for SLES and LLEBG funding, and request the requisite budget modification. Staff feels alternative use of funding is warranted given the organizational changes that have occurred in the department over the past year.
Staff recommends Council approve Alternative 1, appropriation of the full amount available from SLES (estimated to be $295,694) to the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Sub-Fund in order to continue to fund the supplemental police services approved by Council September 24, 1996.
BACKGROUND
In September, 1996, Council approved the establishment of the Police Services Augmentation Fund, the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Sub-Fund, and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Sub-Fund. Council also approved Budget Modification No. 9 which included the appropriation of the full amount available from AB 3229 ($293,461) into the City’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Sub-Fund and the appropriation of the full amount available from the BJA Block Grant into the City’s Local law Enforcement Block Grant Sub-Fund as well as the transfer of matching funds ($7,103) for the BJA Block Grant into the City’s Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Sub-Fund. (See Attachment A).
Council approved the use of these funds in FY 1996/1997 for supplemental law enforcement services requested by staff in Budget Modification #9 as follows:
1. The establishment of a full time Domestic Violence Investigator, and necessary equipment and training funded from the SLES Sub-Fund.
2. The Provision for a full time Patrol Watch Commander from the SLES Sub-Fund to provide a command officer presence in Patrol Operations beyond weekdays from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. This provides better customer service in response to citizen inquiries at all times of the day and night, and provides command level coordination and support for officers and first line supervisors at major incidents. It also provides for the mentoring and development of first line supervisors, and to allow those supervisors more time to train, supervise and coordinate their officers.
3. The establishment of a full-time Investigator, with associated equipment and training, funded from the SLES Sub-Fund, and the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance Block Grant. This investigator is assigned to the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement Regional Narcotics Task Force.
All of the above supplemental law enforcement services have been implemented.
Supplemental Law Enforcement Funding
In July 1999, the State appropriated $100 million statewide to continue supplemental police funding. The funds are to be distributed as follows: 12.5% to the County Sheriff for jail construction and operation; 12.5% to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution; and 75% to the county and cities within each county based on population. Sunnyvale's share is estimated to be approximately $295,694 for FY 1999/2000 and it is requested that these funds be used to continue the programs approved by Council on September 24, 1996 in Report number 96-378. (See Attachment A)
Department of Public Safety – Proposed Organizational Restructure
Due in part to the elimination of the Public Safety Commander position, staff has proposed changes in organization structure to compensate for the loss. The proposal is currently under consideration by the City Manager. If organizational changes (or a portion thereof) are approved, staff will propose an alternative use of SLES and LLEBG funding it believes necessary to continue to meet or exceed outcomes stated in departmental Service Delivery Plans.
DISCUSSION
Written Requests for Supplemental Law Enforcement Needs
The Director of Public Safety has reviewed the Police Services Outcomes and, as required by law, makes the following requests for the use of the SLES supplemental funding:
1. Provide continuing funding for the full time Domestic Violence Investigator from the SLES Sub-Fund.
2. Provide continuing funding for the Watch Commander which will be funded from the SLES Sub-Fund.
3. Provide one-half of continued funding for the full time investigator assigned to the Regional Narcotics Task Force; the remaining half of which is funded by the LLEBG Sub-Fund. This regional task force currently includes State agents from Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE), Federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), investigators from the San Jose Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
These requested services are dependent upon funds being appropriated each year by the State. Any decrease in these revenues would result in a proportionate decrease in services and expenditures.
The anticipated SLES funding award amount of $295,694 has already been included in the Council approved budget for FY 1999/2000.
Failure to approve appropriations for supplemental law enforcement services within sixty days of this public hearing will result in the City being ineligible to receive the State funds.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Posting of the Council Agenda. Reports to Council are also available at the City Library and the City’s website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appropriation of the full amount available from SLES into the City’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Sub-Fund.
2. Consider appropriation of SLES money when LLEBG funds become available during the month of October.
3. Direct staff to conduct further study.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative 1, appropriation of the full amount available from SLES into the City’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Sub-Fund.
Prepared by:
Steven D. Pigott, Captain
Police Services Division
Reviewed by:
Brown D. Taylor, Interim Chief
Department of Public Safety
Reviewed by:
Mary J. Bradley, Director
Department of Finance
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager
Attachments
Appendix A: Report to Council #96-378
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