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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10D - Full Time Police Officer CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT November 18, 2002 @ 100 Frank Boyles, City Manag~ AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE ADDITION OF ONE FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER POSITION IN DECEMBER 2002 RATHER THAN JANUARY 2003. DISCUSSION: History: The City Council has already conducted two Workshops regarding the 2003 Proposed Budget. In accordance with the 2002 goals and objectives, and the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan, I have recommended additional staff in 2003 to serve the needs of our growing community. One of the positions recommended is an additional police officer position. The memorandum recommends the hiring of this new position in 2002 rather than 2003. ISSUES: Current Circumstances: The City Council has directed that the staff recommend the addition of positions where a service need can be demonstrated. As the Council is aware, between 4am and 8am, Monday through Friday, our 17,000 person, 16 ~ square mile community is served by only one squad car. The Council has indicated that this situation should be a top priority. However, to put a second car on the road requires not one, but three officers since the department operates around the clock. The first of the three officers has been recommended to be hired on January 1, 2003. Over the last 60 days, the staff has been in the process of recruiting and testing to fill one existing department vacancy. We have identified four well-qualified candidates who we are completing background investigations on. Considering the time and cost involved in the recruitment and selection process, and the factthat we do not want to "lose" a qualified candidate, we are asking the Council to consider adding this new full-time position to the staff effective December 15t rather than January 1, 2003. Conclusion: The Council should determine whether it wishes to authorize the addition of a new full-time police officer position on December 1, 2002, or on January 1, 2003 together with the 2003 budget. The added cost of filling this position in December rather than January is $4,800, including wages and benefits. However, by approving the position now predetermines the 2003 budget, at least with respect to this position. The Council should therefore, be sure that it desires to add a police officer. On the other hand, individual Councilmembers have expressed a concern about the fact that the current size of the community, coupled with our growth 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2002\POLlCE OFFIC~~~..Q OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ,.. T . T necessitate more than one police car on the road. The early addition of the new position will expedite this correction. Additional benefits of hiring the new office in December are that we will not have to spend the time and money to repeat the recruitment and selection process, and the officers could be trained together so we do not have to make a second set of reservations one month apart. FISCAL IMPACT: The added wages and benefits are estimated to be $4800. Due to vacancies in the Police Department, there are sufficient funds in the 2002 budget to fund this early hire. The position is reflected in the proposed 2003 budget. ALTERNATIVES: (1) Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the addition of a new police officer position on December 1, 2002. (2) Take no action and await the December 2, 2002 Truth-in- Taxation Hearing. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative (1). 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2002\POLlCE OFFICER.DOC RESOLUTION 02-XX A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF ONE FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER POSITION ON DECEMBER 1, 2002. Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, Prior Lake is a growing community with increasing needs for police services; and WHEREAS, the 2003 City General Fund Budget contemplates the addition of one full-time police officer position effective January 1, 2002 to meet the City's growing needs; and WHEREAS, a recruitment and selection process to fill two existing vacancies has been completed and identified four candidates who could be considered for hire; and WHEREAS, the cost of completing a new recruitment and selection process in December or January could be saved if a candidate is hired from the current selection pool; and WHEREAS, funds are available in the 2002 budget sufficient to accommodate the accelerated hire. ~- NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA that: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. One (1) full-time police officer position is hereby authorized effective December 1, 2002. 3. Funds for this purpose are to be drawn from the 2002 Police budget. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2002. Haugen Haugen Vacant Vacant LeMair LeMair Petersen Petersen Zieska Zieska YES NO City Manager, City of Prior Lake ~- 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER t