Number
050956
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HINES AND WITKOWSKI
Title
Substitute resolution implementing provisions relating to establishment of a Community Service Staffing Special Purpose Account for public safety related purposes or police overtime in the 2006 City Budget.
Analysis
This resolution implements a footnote to a Special Purpose Account, established in the 2006 City Budget, entitled Community Services Staffing. This footnote states that funds may only be spent for public safety related purposes or for police department overtime under the provisions set forth in the Common Council resolution setting specific limitations on the use of the funds.
To assist the Common Council in action on the use of this special purpose account, this resolution establishes a task force and defines the membership of the task force that will investigate means and methods appropriate for the city of Milwaukee that would lead to community service staffing as well as funding for the eventual implementation of new staffing models for responding to Milwaukee residents’ calls for service.
This resolution further provides for a written report to be submitted to the Common Council, four months from the adoption of this resolution for Council review and appropriate action and direction relating to allocations from the special purpose account.
Body
Whereas, The 2006 City Budget establishes a special purpose account entitled Community Services Staffing, and appropriates $1,500,000 from the 2006 police department overtime budget with a footnote that states that no funds may be expended from the account without Common Council approval by resolution; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Police Department, as a vital component of public safety for the city of Milwaukee, receives approximately 98% of the city property tax levy; and
Whereas, The current situation related to annual city budget considerations makes it imperative that efficiencies and alternatives be found related to all city services, including those entrusted with public safety concerns; and
Whereas, Staffing levels and police officer strength in the Milwaukee Police Department, as well as the costs associated with police staffing levels, have engendered considerable discussion; and
Whereas, Development of alternatives to policing, including expanding the role of civilians in traditional police work has received attention in various communities throughout the United States; and
Whereas, Investigating how non-sworn police department employees in other communities in the United States provide response to non-emergency, non-enforcement calls for service in order to allow sworn officers more time for enforcement, problem solving and crime prevention activities may have application to the Milwaukee Police Department; and
Whereas, Alternatives that non-sworn positions provide in other communities include authorization to perform traffic accident investigations, traffic control and post incident reports such as burglaries and stolen vehicles; and
Whereas, There exists merit in investigating how alternative positions, sometime called Community Service Staff, may be applied to Milwaukee in order to provide budget relief and to better respond to citizen calls for service; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that funds in a Special Purpose Account established in the 2006 City budget entitled Community Services Staffing may only be used for police community service staff or police overtime pursuant to Common Council action, following the establishment of a task force and review of the task force’s recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the membership of this task force be comprised of an appointee of the City Attorney, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Fire and Police Commission, the Department of Administration - Budget Division, the Office of the Mayor, one representative of the Milwaukee Police Association and two appointees of the Common Council President; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council President shall appoint the chair of this task force; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the task force shall investigate means and methods, appropriate for the city of Milwaukee, that would lead to community service staffing as well as funding for the eventual implementation of new staffing models for responding to Milwaukee residents’ calls for service; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the task force, four months from the adoption of this resolution, shall provide its report in writing to the Common Council for Council review, appropriate action and direction relating to allocations from the special purpose account.
Requestor
City Clerk’s Office
Drafter
LRB05447-2
mar
12/13/2005