In the FY 2018 budget process, the Police Department proposed funding to support various initiatives related to Police staffing and deployment. This budget request will accelerate this funding to address immediate staffing/hiring needs, and issue supplemental funding required for aggressive recruitment strategies in the Police Department.

In the FY 2018 budget, a planned expenditure of $70,000 was allotted to conduct a Staffing Study of the Police Department. This study will look at current community data related to police operations such as response times, staffing levels, calls for service, deployment strategies and crime rates. The analysis of this data will be used to develop and recommend approaches that maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of police services and deployment strategies throughout the city now and in the future.

Additional funding of $50,000 was allotted in the FY18 budget to provide resources to address the current challenges of recruiting qualified applicants for the job of police officer. Additional resources will help extend the city’s reach to ensure the best quality candidates are attracted in order to maintain a competitive edge.

Lastly, an additional $20,000 in new funding is being requested to promote a more aggressive marketing effort to recruit highly qualified applicants to the Peoria Police Department.

A: Approve the budget transfer of $140,000 for the purpose of moving the appropriation for these expenditures to FY 2017.

B: Choose not to approve the budget transfer of $140,000 for the purpose of moving the appropriation for these expenditures to FY 2017.

Discussion and possible action to approve a budget transfer in the amount of $140,000 allocating $90,000 to the Non-Departmental Other Professional Services account and $50,000 to the Patrol Services Salaries and Wages account to move the funding forward for the Police Department Staffing Study and Recruitment Strategy to Fiscal Year 2017.

Request a budget transfer of $140,000 from General Fund Contingency (1000-0300-570000) allocating $90,000 to the Non-Departmental Other Professional Services account (1000-0300-520099) and $50,000 to the Patrol Services Salaries and Wages account (1000-1020-510000). Of this amount, $120,000 of these expenditures are planned in the FY 2018 budget and this request will allow the use of funds in FY 2017. Funds are currently available in the General Fund. Any unexpended funds will be carried over as needed.

Once approved by City Council, the budget transfer will be processed.