HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-07_Resolution No_ 4051, Property Tax Increase for Pol_13
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Mark Tymrak, Director of Public Safety-Police
SUBJECT: Police Staffing Plan public hearing and adoption of Resolution 4051.
MEETING DATE: City Commission Meeting: Monday August 13, 2007
RECOMMENDATION: We respectfully request that the City Commission formally adopt
Resolution 4051 authorizing the City of Bozeman to exceed the statutory mill levy provided for in
section 15-10-420, MCA, for the purpose of funding to hire, train and equip a minimum of thirteen
(13) additional police officers.
BACKGROUND: On June 18 2007, the City Commission adopted the Bozeman Police
Department and Municipal Court Needs Assessment and Facility Plan and the Resource Analysis
Findings and Projections for a twenty year staffing and facility plan. Utilizing the I.A.C.P.
(International Association of Chief’s of Police) endorsed methodology and analyzing historical
service demands and needs of the City of Bozeman a patrol staffing study was conducted and a
needs projection was developed out to 2026.
The staffing analysis indicated that the patrol division of the police department would need to grow
from the current level of thirty-four (34) patrol officer positions to a minimum of forty-five (45)
patrol officers in 2011. In addition to providing resources to the patrol division an additional seven
(7) officer positions will need to be assigned to the investigations division and department
supervisory positions as the department and demands for service continue to grow.
In addition to funding sworn personnel, this mill levy request would also fund operating costs to
include uniforms, equipment and training for the new personnel and capital expenditures to provide
additional emergency vehicles to augment the current general fund budget allocations.
The mill levy would provide increased staffing levels in the patrol division which would permit the
department to increase minimum shift staffing levels, increase proactive police work, increase patrol
visibility, increase time allocated to follow up investigations and permit the department to form and
sustain a dedicated traffic enforcement division. The additional sworn officer positions in the
investigations unit would be allocated to investigate felony crimes against persons and property
crimes. The additional staff would also increase officer presence in and around our growing school
district.
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Commission Memorandum
The mill levy would also permit the department to hire needed staff at a rate higher than has been
possible with general fund budget allocations. We have designed the mills to be assessed at a rate
that would not overburden our ability to recruit or train the new officers.
On August 6, 2007, the City Commission directed staff to present a resolution to address these
concerns. Commission Resolution No. 4051 has been prepared and is included for City
Commission review and adoption.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: A Dedicated, Predictable and Sustained funding source
FISCAL EFFECTS: There are no immediate fiscal effects. If passed, the Bozeman City
Commission will be authorized to levy 4 mills in FY 2009, 9 mills in FY 2010 and 14 mills in FY
2011. Based upon fiscal year 2008 mill rate, the specific dollar amounts to be raised would be
$276,200 in FY 2009 $621,400in FY 2010 and $966,600in FY 2011 and beyond.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
CONTACT: Please feel free to email Mark Tymrak at mtymrak@bozeman.net if you have any
questions.
APPROVED BY: Mark Tymrak, Director of Public Safety-Police
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
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COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4051
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION SUBMITTING TO THE
QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA,
THE QUESTION OF AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BOZEMAN TO
EXCEED THE STATUTORY MILL LEVY LIMIT PROVIDED FOR IN
SECTION 15-10-420, M.C.A., BY LEVYING UP TO FOUR (4) MILLS IN
FY 2009, UP TO NINE (9) MILLS IN FY 2010, AND UP TO FOURTEEN
(14) MILLS IN FY 2011 AND BEYOND FOR THE FUNDING TO HIRE
AND EQUIP A MINIMUM OF THIRTEEN (13) ADDITIONAL POLICE
OFFICERS.
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman is committed to addressing the community’s
expressed needs and desires for services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman is committed to meeting those desires and
demands for services in a fiscally responsible manner; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman is a first class city and is required to provide
police protection services within its jurisdiction in accordance with MCA 7-33-4010; and
WHEREAS, it is essential in providing a quality police protection service to
periodically assess the current status of law enforcement resources and future expected
demand for services; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2007, the City Commission adopted Resolution No.
4030, adopting the International Association of Chief’s of Police (IACP) endorsed
staffing methodology and recognized the police resource analysis findings and
projections; and
WHEREAS, the staffing analysis indicated that the patrol division of the police
department would need to increase from the current level of 34 patrol officer positions to
a minimum of 45 patrol officer positions in 2011; and
WHEREAS, the staffing analysis indicated that the investigations division and
supervisory staff would need to increase from the current level of 16 officer positions to a
minimum of 23 officer positions; and
WHEREAS, the mill levy request permits the police department to recruit and
train new officers in a phased in approach within abilities of the department and phases in
the increases in a reasonable and responsible manner; and
WHEREAS, the addition of a minimum of thirteen (13) new officers will require
operating costs to include uniforms, equipment and training for the new officers and
capital expenditures involving the purchase of additional emergency vehicles; and
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WHEREAS, the addition of thirteen (13) new officers, related equipment and
vehicles will provide the citizens of Bozeman with increased minimum shift staffing
levels, increased proactive police work, increased patrol visibility, increased time
allocated to follow up investigations and will permit the Police Department to form and
sustain a dedicated traffic enforcement division. Additional sworn officer positions in the
investigations division will be allocated to investigate felony crimes against persons and
property crimes. Additional sworn officer positions will also increase officer presence in
and around Bozeman’s growing school district; and
WHEREAS, Section 7-6-4431, Montana Code Annotated, authorizes a municipal
governing body to exceed the maximum mill levy allowed by Section 15-10-420,
M.C.A., upon approval of a majority of the qualified electors voting in an election; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2007 the City Commission adopted Commission
Resolution No. 4026 authorizing that the 2007 general election be conducted by mail
ballot; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to present to the electors at the 2007
general election by mail ballot a proposal to authorize the City of Bozeman to exceed the
statutory mill limit provided for in Section 15-10-420, M.C.A., by levying up to four (4)
mills in FY 2009, up to nine (9) mills in FY 2010, and up to fourteen (14) mills in FY
2011 and beyond to hire and equip a minimum of thirteen additional police officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Commission of
the City of Bozeman, Montana:
Section 1
Referral to the Electors: That the question authorizing the City of Bozeman to exceed
the statutory mill levy limit provided for in Section 15-10-420 M.C.A. by annually
levying up to four (4) mills in FY 2009, up to nine (9) mills in FY 2010, and up to
fourteen (14) mills in FY 2011 to hire and equip a minimum of thirteen (13) additional
police officers is hereby referred to a vote by the qualified electors of the City of
Bozeman by mail ballot at the 2007 general election.
Section 2
Specific Purpose for Additional Money: That the additional money will be used to hire,
train, and equip a minimum of thirteen (13) additional sworn officers and for the
purchase of additional emergency vehicles for the Bozeman Police Department.
Section 3
Approximate Number of Mills required and Specific Dollar Amounts to be raised:
If passed, the Bozeman City Commission will be authorized to levy four (4) mills in FY
2009, nine (9) mills in FY 2010 and fourteen (14) mills in FY 2011. The specific dollar
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amount to be raised will change annually depending on the value of the mill. Based upon
the fiscal year 2008 mill rate, the specific dollar amounts to be raised would be $276,200
in FY 2009 $621,400 in FY 2010 and $966,600 in FY 2011 and beyond.
Section 4
The Duration Limit, if any, on Levy: There is no durational limit on the levy. The
fourteen (14) mills will be cumulative and permanent and continue to be assessed in FY
2012 and thereafter to sustain the staffing level.
Section 5
Form of Ballot: The ballot form shall be:
PUBLIC SAFETY MILL LEVY – POLICE
That the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana be authorized to
exceed the statutory mill levy provided for in Section 15-20-420, M.C.A., by
annually levying up to four (4) mills in FY 2009 (approximately $276,200, based
on FY2008 mill value ); up to nine (9) mills in FY 2010 (approximately$621,400,
based on FY2008 mill value); and up to fourteen (14) mills in FY 2011
(approximately $966,600, based on FY2008 mill value) for the purpose of
funding the hiring and equipping a minimum of thirteen (13) additional sworn
officers and for the capital expenditures of additional emergency vehicles for the
Bozeman Police Department. The annual property tax impact on a home with a
taxable market value of $100,000 is approximately $12.04 for FY 2009, $27.90
for FY 2010, and $42.14 for FY 2011. The annual property tax impact on a home
with a taxable market value of $200,000 is approximately $24.08 for FY 2009,
$54.18 for FY 2010, and $84.28 for 2011. The up to fourteen (14) mills would be
permanent and continue to be assessed in FY 2012 and thereafter to sustain the
staffing level. The foregoing mill levies are in addition to any other mill levies
authorized by Charter or law.
FOR
Authorizing the City Commission of the City of Bozeman
to exceed the statutory mill levy limit provided for in
Section 15-10-420, M.C.A., by annually levying up to
four (4) mills in FY 2009; up to nine (9) mills in FY
2010; and up to fourteen (14) mills in FY 2011 for the
purpose of funding the hiring and equipping a minimum
of thirteen (13) additional sworn officers and for the
capital expenditures of additional emergency vehicles for
the Bozeman Police Department. The up to fourteen (14)
mills would be permanent and continue to be assessed in
FY 2012 and thereafter to sustain the staffing level.
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AGAINST
Authorizing the City Commission of the City of Bozeman
to exceed the statutory mill levy limit provided for in
Section 15-10-420, M.C.A., by annually levying up to
four (4) mills in FY 2009; up to nine (9) mills in FY
2010; and up to fourteen (14) mills in FY 2011 for the
purpose of funding the hiring and equipping a minimum
of thirteen (13) additional sworn officers and for the
capital expenditures of additional emergency vehicles for
the Bozeman Police Department. The up to fourteen (14)
mills would be permanent and continue to be assessed in
FY 2012 and thereafter to sustain the staffing level.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana,
at a regular session thereof held on the 13th day of August 2007.
JEFF KRAUSS
Mayor
ATTEST:
CYNTHIA JORDAN DELANEY
Acting City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PAUL J. LUWE
City Attorney
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