09-14-20 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

Browse Search

REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested:September 14, 2020 Source of Funds:001General Fund Requested By:Steve Deardorff, Chief Department:Police Account Number:001-5253-521-10XX Amount Budgeted:$283,996 ReportResolutionOrdinance Amount Requested:$283,993 Exhibits:Ordinance 2020-3798final and Budgeted Item:YesNo Ordinance 2020-3798 redlined SUMMARY& RECOMMENDATION La Porte CityOrdinanceNo.1285 establishedthe number of authorized positions for the in each classification, pursuant to Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Codeand requires amendment, due to the approval of the addition of three (3) patrolmen by City Councilon August 10, 2020 during the fiscalyear 2020- 2021 budget presentation. Previously the La Porte Police Department was authorized atsixty (60) patrolmen, with this revision the number of authorized patrolmen will be sixty-three (63). The three (3) additional patrolman will be hired, so we can assign three (3) current patrolmanto the DOT Section and who will specifically be responsible for enforcement of federal, state and municipal commercial motor vehicle traffic and safety laws. This will bring the total manpower of the DOT Section to eight (8) patrolman and one (1) sergeant, which is within normal span of control and will not require any additional supervisory staff. Currently there is a nationwide shortage of qualified applicants for a career in law enforcement. We have two applicants that are currently in the background process that look promising. The Police Department budget has funds from salary savings that could be used to bring these applicants on board prior to October 1 in order to prevent another agency from luring them away. This would also help us fill the DOT positions sooner. Staff recommends that City Council approve Ordinance 2020-3798amending the te Police Department.As shown above the requested budget amount is just shy of $284,000,