HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 0517 CC REG ITEM 11D�1
ITEM11, T6
Moorpark Police Department
AGENDA REPORT
TO: The Honorable City Council;C _.
FROM: Marty Rouse, Lieutenant �� h4
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DATE: May 12, 1995 (CC Mtg. 5/17/95)
SUBJECT: Federal Law Enforcement Grant "COPS FAST"
ISSUE
The federal law enforcement grant "COPS FAST" will fund up to 75% of an officers salary and
benefits for three years to a maximum of $75,000 for three years. The matching funds must be
from local funding sources. The federal government has pre- approved the City of Moorpark for
one additional officer dedicated to community oriented policing. The Office of Community
Oriented Policing (COPS) is requesting the grant be approved by the City Council and be in the
Washington D.C. office as soon as possible. The applications will be processed on a first -in, first -
out basis.
BACKGROUND
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, signed into law by President
Clinton on September 13, 1994, created a federal -local law enforcement partnership and the
opportunity to hire 100,000 new police officers. With community policing as its base, the
program is intended to encourage the development of police- citizen cooperation to control crime,
maintain order, and improve the quality of life in our communities. Attorney General Janet Reno
has established the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to expedite the hiring
of new police officers and to implement community oriented policing programs.
The Department of Justice and the new Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
established the Funding Accelerated for Smaller Towns (COPS FAST). Law enforcement
agencies serving populations under 50,000 are eligible to hire new officers to participate in
community policing.
Police Department
The Police Department submitted a Letter of Intent to Participate in December, 1994. We
received pre - approval to hire one officer in 1995 pending City Council approval and final Federal
approval. The grant requires that the new positions be hired by July 1995. It may be possible to
obtain a waiver to a later date but the grant would still be for a three year period. I am told the
waiver would only be approved for a short time period. The Federal grant funds can be
retroactive if the City Council requested an officer be hired prior to July.
The table below indicates the funds necessary (high projection) for the duration of the grant. I
based the 1995/96 rate for one deputy at the indicated rate which reflects a 6.85% increase over
the current contract rate. The 1994/95 contract rate increase for one deputy is a high estimate
supplied to me by the Sheriff s Business Office. All figures include benefits and overhead.
Start Date: July 1, 1995 End Date: June 30, 1998
Funding Formula
Fiscal Year 95/96
Fiscal Year 96/97
Fiscal Year 97/98
1 Deputy
$108,299
$114,797
$121,685
Federal Amount
$ 28,300
$ 25,000
$ 21,700
City Amount
$ 79,999
$ 89,797
$ 99,985
% Federal
26%
22%
18%
% City
74%
78%
82%
Note: 6% was used to estimate annual increases in contract rates.
The table indicates when the federal funds will be used each fiscal year. Federal funds must
decrease each year. The percentages above (Federal) are recommendations from the Federal
Government but may be adjusted, if requested by the City, upon final approval. The maintenance
of effort period is three years. It is expected the City will not reduce the number of sworn officers
during the grant period. If the City deems that a reduction is warranted it'd affect grant
funding. These situations will be discussed on a case by case basis with the assigned grant
monitor. Total Federal funds expected to be approved are $75,000 for the grant period.
Budget and Finance Committee
The Budget and Finance Committee (Mayor Lawarason and Council Member Montgomery)
reviewed the COPS FAST grant request on May 8, 1995. Concern was expressed regarding the
maintenance of effort requirement of the grant. The City would be required to maintain the same
level of funding and number of officers for the period of the grant (3 years). In other words, as
the annual salary increases and other increases are received from the Sheriffs Department, the
City will have to accept these increases without being able to adjust service levels. It is estimated
that the City would be committing itself to approximately $560,000 or more in expenditures to
receive $75,000 of assistance for the additional officer. The Committee recommended
submission of the grant, however, cautioned that the limited available revenues may mean that the
City will not be able to meet the maintenance of effort requirement.
Additional Officer
The utilization of the new deputy was also discussed. It is my intent to use 20 hours per week for
instruction of the DARE program and the remaining 20 hours for additional community patrol.
The current Community Services / DARE Officer (CSO) would expand his crime prevention
activities and liaison more closely with the Resource Center. The CSO would also be available
approximately one shift per week for patrol purposes
RECOMMENDATION
The Budget and Finance Committee and staff recommend City Council authorization for the
Mayor to submit the grant with the understanding that participation would be subject to adequate
revenues being available.
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