AgdaPkt 2003-03-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W -q Parks, Recreation and Community Services The department will achieve an overall 2% expenditure reduction by cuts in 'casual" and contract staff time, while holding vacant positions open ($240,147). Some minor capital outlays will be cancelled as well ($29,485). In most cases, staffing reductions will result in higher ratios of program participants to staff, and in one case, elimination of the Spring Session of lap swim at Herkner Pool. All reductions are considered one -time, and do not reflect a decision to stop any specific program or activity. Impacts on service levels are deemed to be minimal, but extending some or all of the reductions would reduce services in FY 03/04. Police The Police Department will take a number of actions to meet its budget reduction target, the single largest being freezing the "over -hire" positions. These positions were added to the department in fiscal year 1997/98 in recognition of the fact that it takes approximately one year to train a police officer before the office is able to operate alone. Response times may be lengthened slightly and the time available for community policing may be shortened. The department will also realize savings of $100,000 due to the Police Chief being temporarily assigned to the Fire Department. Other reductions include the elimination of the Gang Reduction Education and Training Program (GREAT) ($4,400), the Middle School Resource Officer Program ($10,752), and reduced overtime ($15,500) in the investigation division. It is nearly impossible to determine how much gang activity is actually diminished as a result of GREAT instruction. Regular patrol officers will be called from their patrol duties to address criminal activity on middle school campuses. The reduction in investigation overtime will result in lower priority cases not being attended to so promptly. Public Works Services General Fund reductions affect three operating divisions in the department. In Fleet & Warehouse services, the full reduction will be achieved via a cooperative agreement with the Police Department, in which installation of grant- funded replacement radio equipment for vehicles will be done by shop staff during normal work hours (versus contracting out the work), and in turn reducing funding of 640 fleet maintenance hours. This is a one -time reduction which should not impact the condition of the fleet through June. ($24,762) In the Wastewater Management Services Division, storm drain maintenance personnel costs will be reduced to reflect charges that field personnel are making to special district budgets in the City as they perform as- needed work. This is a one- time reduction that will have no impact on service levels. ($7,836) The Right of Way Maintenance Division is realizing its target reductions by holding entry-level vacancies in street and tree maintenance open to create savings ($59,434); reducing replacement rates for (functional but old) street light fixtures and delaying a street light pole painting contract ($12,000); and cutting back on the maintenance /repair level of the Broadway "festoon" tree lighting ($1,342). All are one -time reductions that will cause less street, tree and tree light maintenance work to be accomplished before July. The average citizen will likely not perceive a change in the appearance of street light poles /fixtures during this fiscal year.