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Recommendation to authorize the early expenditure of items included in the Proposed FY 14 Budget, in the best interests of the City, up to $560,850 for the commencement of the proposed FY 14 Fire Academy in FY 13; and, up to $600,000 to supplement Police Department gang enforcement activities in FY 13, at the Police Chief’s discretion. Unused appropriation will carry over for these same purposes into
FY 14. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Proposed FY 14 Budget includes two fire academies; the second academy is a proposed one-time enhancement for FY 14. Also included in the Proposed FY 14 Budget is $600,000 in one-time funds for gang enforcement activities. It will be beneficial for both the Fire and Police Departments to have access to these funds prior to the start of FY 14. Any leftover monies will be carried over to FY 14, as included in the proposed FY 14 budget.
The Fire Department has been working diligently with the Departments of Civil Service and Human Resources to accelerate the academies. As a result of these efforts, the Fire Department believes they will be ready to begin an academy in September 2013, instead of early FY 14. Moving the academy date forward will allow Long Beach to more quickly fill vacant firefighter positions before the end of the calendar year.
In addition, to supplement the Police Department’s gang enforcement activities in the current fiscal year, FY 14 one-time funds are being recommended for use in FY 13, with any unused portion being carried forward into FY 14.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 12, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 23, 2013 to allow the Fire Department to formalize the earlier Fire Academy and notify recruits of the commencement date in September 2013, and to allow the Police Department to plan and implement gang intervention activities prior to the end of FY 13.
FISCAL...
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