TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments, with the Long Beach Unified School District, to staff School Resource Officers, in an amount not to exceed $218,071, with an estimated net cost to the City’s General Fund of $54,518; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Police Department by $218,071, partially offset by contract revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested for the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) to enter into a new agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for the school year starting on August 28, 2019 through June 30, 2020. One School Resource Officer (SRO) will be assigned to LBUSD and will be available through the term of this agreement Tuesday through Friday each week, except on days when students are not present. LBUSD will reimburse the City of Long Beach for law enforcement costs, including indirect costs up to their maximum share of 75 percent of the agreement, or $163,553. The City’s share is 25 percent, or $54,518. For this school year, the LBUSD has requested one officer, as opposed to two requested in the prior year.
SROs provide LBUSD with an additional resource to reduce and prevent student-related problems. LBPD began the program in 1999 as a preventative measure following the Columbine incident. Since its inception, LBUSD officials believe the high schools are safer and benefit from a low crime rate because of this partnership that serves to meet the City Council’s stated priority to further reduce crime, particularly violent crime.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on September 13, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 8, 2019, to ensure the agreement is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
At the time of FY 20 Budget Adoption, contract negotiations were underway, including a pending cancellation of the contract, which is reflected in the Adopted FY 20 Budget. As a result of successful negotiations by both parties to continue a contract, it is requested to restore partially reduced appropriation to reflect the overtime equivalent of one SRO position. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $218,071 in the General Fund Group in the Police Department, partially offset by contract revenue. Under the terms of this contract, LBUSD will reimburse the City approximately $163,553 (75 percent), which will be deposited in the General Fund Group in the Police Department. The net General Fund subsidy of 25 percent for this agreement is approximately $54,518. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER