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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/11/2003 - Finance and Personnel Committee FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING Monday,August 11,2003 Aldermen Conference Room,6:30 p.m. � In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Murgatroyd, Alderman Bolger, Alderman Peterson. Also in Attendance: Mayor Low, Alderman Condon, Alderman Glab, City Administrator Maxeiner, Assistant City Administra.tor Lockerby, Chief of Police O'Meara, Director of Finance Kline and City Clerk Jones. Also attending: Gina Swinney, representing District 15 Phil Hintz, Superintendent of District 156 Jim Heffelfinger, School Board President District 156 Andrew Weiland,Northwest Herald Chairman Alderman Murgatroyd called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. School Resource Officer City Administrator Maxeiner informed the Committee that, following discussions regarding the School Resource Office ("SRO") at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on June 30, 2003, direction was provided to Staff�to work with school district representatives in an effort to formulate a mutually acceptable recommendation to continue the SRO program in the schools, assisting Districts 15 and 156 financially upon expiration of the Gra.nt in August 2003. City Administrator Maxeiner stated the Police Department Budget is impacted by the proposed continuation of the SRO program. The commitment of two officers to District 156 has removed the officers ��om planned patrol duties necessitating the addition of two additional officers. The budgetary impact speculated is approximately $65,000 annually for a new officer in 2003/2004. However, City Administra.tor Maxeiner noted, with the City currently four months into the fiscal year, the actual impact for a new officer would be$43,333 per officer for the remaining eight months of the fiscal year. City Administrator Maxeiner noted discussions have occurred with District 156 officials. A consensus has been reached regarding a 60/40 funding intergovemmental agreement, whereby 60%of the actual cost of an SRO during the school months is paid by the participating school district, with the remaining 40%to be funded by the City. Calculations have indicated the 60/40 funding agreement would result in a school district cost of approximately $34,000 per officer. The City's cost in fiscal year 2003/2004 would amount to approximately $43,333 per SRO, which would be offset by the district's reimbursement of$34,000 per SRO, for a net budget impact to the City in fiscal year 2003-2004 of$9,300 per SRO. As indicated below the net impact to the City for the full fiscal year 2004/2005 would be an additional $31,800 per ofFicer. Comparison of Existing Agreement with Proposed 60/40 Split Current Agrcetnent• FY 2003/2004 FY 2004/2005 5'"yr otTrcer(Salary and Be�►efirs) 574,000 Sr officer (Salary and Benefits) 585,000 585,000 $87,500 City's Cost Non-School Montha(100%of 4 mos) 7,083 29,167 City's Cost School Month�(40%of 8 mos) 19,833 23,333 Total City Cost per SRO $35,672 526,916 $52,500 School Dist Cost per SRO(60%of 8 mos) 49,328 34,000 35,000 Budget Impacts(2�w officers for patrol less revenues) Addidonal City Revenues per SRO 34,000 35,000 L- Additionai City Expunditures per SRO 43,333*' 66,800 Net Budget Impact per SRO 9,333 31,800 ' Cwrent Agreement calls for school to pay for 66.6%of 5'"yr ofcr salary&benefits ""Cost of new ofcr for remaining 8 mos of fiscal year. Finance and Personnel Committee Meeting August 11, 2003 Page 2 � Staff is recommerding the following adjustments to the Intergovernmental Agreement: • If at any time the Police Chief feels the SRO's are not being utilized correctly by the school districts he has the ability to remove the officer. - In the past, instances have occurred where the SRO has not been included in internal investigations or in managing a response to a crisis. • The Police Department would need the ability to remove an SRO from a school for temporary reassignment as workloads may demand. City Administrator Maxeiner stated the majority of discussions regarding the SRO have taken place with representatives of District 156, however District 15 has utilized the services of SRO's in past years. City Administrator M�einer informed the Committee the offer presented to District 156 would be mirrored to District 15. It is Staff's recommendation the SRO Program continue with funding for the Program shared on a 60/40 basis of the actual cost of the officers, during the school months, subject to the conditions indicated. Additionally, Staff requests a budget amendment of$10,000, per officer required for the SRO Program, in order to maintain adequate police department staffmg levels. Mr. Heffelfinger reiterated the importance of the SRO program to the schools and the community. He �tated lengthy discussions have transpired with Staff, and District 156 is agreeable to the 60/40 funding. Additionally,District 156 has no concerns regazding the conditions outlined. Ms. Gina Swinney, representing District 15, explained to the Committee that communication between Staff and representatives of District 15 has been limited because District 15 is not in an economically solvent position to fund the 60/40 split offered by the City. City Administrator Maxeiner stated if District 15's financiai situation were to change, the opportunity would exist to enter into an agreement and utilize the 60/40 split. Responding to Ms. Swiruley's inquiry regarding Dr. Dodd's request for clarification regarding services available to District 15 by the Police Department should they be required, Chief O'Meara stated should a situation arise the original report would be taken by a field officer in the area with a Juvenile Detective pursuing the investigation and follow-up. Chairman Alderman Murgatroyd opined the topic of services available should an SRO not be in place strayed outside the scope of tonight's Agenda. He suggested representatives of District 15 continue discussions with Chief O'Meara at a later date to outline specific parameters. Responding to Mayor Low's inquiry regarding the availability of State or Federal Grants, Superintendent Hintz stated grants are few due to the current economic situation. Alderman Bolger noted he is favor of the SRO Program, but unable to support a 60/40 split in costs. He opined the Districts should be responsible for 100%of funding. `' Alderman Glab concurred with Alderman Bolger stating the school districts extend beyond the City limits and CiTy of McHenry taxpayers should not be responsible for funding the program. He suggested exploration of the use of Developer ponations. Finance and Personne( Committee Meeting August 11, 2003 Page 3 � Alderman Cor�don opined she is disappointed that additional discussion and negotiation did not take place between Staff and representatives of District 15. Alderman Condon suggested funds received by the City from Off Track Betting be utilized to partially fund the SRO Program for District 15. A brief discussion ensued regarding budgetary c��nstraints. Mayor Low stated she supports the program and believes the 60/40 split is demonstrative of the City's commitment to the SR O Program. Ms. Lauren M�tnusos arrived at 7:05 p.m. Further discussion followed regarding the importance of the SRO Program and the City's budgetary constraints. No consensus was reached regarding a recommendation to full Council. Chairman Murgatroyd suggested all parties give further consideration to the proposal stating he would be calling for a motion to take action at the beginning of the next Finance and Personnel Committee meeting scheduled on Monday, August 18, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the Aldermen Conference Room. Adiournment Motion by Bolger, secunded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m. All ayes. Motion ca.rried. �.espectfully submitted, r�,�� - Steven C. Murgatroy Cha' n �.