LRB � RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS SECTION ANALYSIS

NOVEMBER 29, 2006 AGENDA                                                     ITEM 29 FILE 060999

FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE                                                                JAMES CARROLL 

File #060999 is a substitute resolution authorizing the sale and issuance of general obligation bonds for Police Department facilities.

Background and Discussion

1. The Comptroller�s Office annually submits initial-borrowing resolutions for projects and programs approved in the adopted budget.

2. The resolution authorizes the sale of general obligation bonds in the amount of $1,670,000 for Police Department facility construction projects.

3. The borrowing will provide funding for the following projects.

• Remodel Administration Building Offices - $800,000 - This funding continues the remodeling efforts at the Police Administration Building.  With $1,150,000 in carryover funds available at the end of this year to be combined with the 2007 funding of $800,000, the department plans to complete remodeling of the west end of the 6^th floor.  Then personnel from the 5^th floor can be moved to the 6^th floor and the vacated area will be renovated to accommodate a new �Fusion Center,� a facility that will be used to provide information and coordination relative to possible terrorist threats in the Milwaukee area.

• Criminal Investigative Video Capture System - $750,000 �This project is necessitated by state legislation that requires electronic recording of interrogations of juvenile suspects. (For adult cases, the legislation makes electronic recording of interrogations a statewide policy.)   The Video Capture System capital project will provide the technological improvements required to complement these design changes, and funding to purchase a server and related storage capacity, media management software and licensing fees, and cameras and cabling equipment for the interrogations rooms at the PAB and district stations. 

• Evidence Storage Warehouse - $120,000 � The funding allocation is for further improvements to the Police Department�s evidence storage warehouse.  Anticipated work includes installation of new heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment and a fire suppression system on a floor-by floor basis. 

Fiscal Impact 

Until the actual structuring of the debt issue is determined by the Public Debt Commission, details relating to the long-term fiscal impact will not be known. Depending on actual sale date in 2007, a maximum of 6 months interest would be incurred during the year.  If sold after July 1, 2007, there would be no fiscal impact in 2007. 

Cc:  Marianne Walsh       Prepared by:

Craig  Kammholz      Jim Carroll,  X8679                             Mark Nicolini                     LRB  Research & Analysis

                 W. Martin Morics                                                                                  November 21, 2006

                 Richard Li