Okaloosa County BOCC — December 4, 2012 — reading text

REQUEST DATE: January 22, 2013 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Sheriff Larry Ashley, Sheriff's Office SUBJECT: Continued Discussion Concerning School Resource Officers The Board directed at the January 8, 2013 meeting to continue the discussion concerning the Sheriff’s request for additional funding with the recent increase of School Resource Officers (SRO). Included for the Board’s consideration are: 1) The Sheriff’s original PowerPoint presentation used during the January 8th meeting. 2) A line item detail provided by the Sheriff’s Office of costs associated with the SRO positions. 3) A detail (email) of existing Sheriff positions reassigned to facilitate the placement of SROs in all public schools. 4) The current agreement for the School Resource Officer Program executed between the Sheriff of Okaloosa County and School Board of Okaloosa County effective July 15, 2012. Packet Pg. 357  9.1.a.a Packet Pg. 358 Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Mission Statement Partnering with school district, administrators, principals, teachers, parents and students to establish and maintain a secure environment and safe culture within all Okaloosa County Public Schools. Packet Pg. 359  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Purpose: Provide specially trained and equipped School Resource Officers (SRO’s) on all public school campuses in Okaloosa County. In partnership with the Okaloosa County School District, Parents, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Children and Family Services and other stakeholders to provide and maintain:  Armed Law Enforcement Presence  Physical campus security (doors, locks, monitoring)  Intelligence efforts geared toward identifying and countering internal and external threats before they occur.  Mentoring students through special programs and curriculum to create a culture that minimizes bullying and other anti- social behaviors. Packet Pg. 360  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Okaloosa County SRO Program Okaloosa County Okaloosa County SROs Program Cost BOCC School District ($118,000 LETF) ($576,125 Safe Schools) FY 2012-13 (Current Year) 14 $1,328,402 $752,277 $576,125 Additional SROs (Annual) 26 $2,260,794 Remainder of FY 2012-13 School Year (June 30) 40 $1,130,397 $565,198 $565,198 Anticipated FY 2013-14 School Year (July-June) 40 $3,485,122 $1,742,561 $1,742,561 Packet Pg. 361  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Program Funding  Program currently funded under an agreement between the Sheriff and the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) at close to a 50/50 share of program costs.  OCSD has utilized Safe School funding dollars from the state to fund their share of the program.  OCSO’s share has been included in the General Law Enforcement section of the annual budget. Funds from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) have been used for uniforms in the past and for FY 2013 $118,000 will be used for SRO salaries from the LETF. Packet Pg. 362  9.1.a.a Program Funding Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning  Immediate funding need for remainder of the 2012-13 School Year from the BOCC is $565,198.  OCSO will commit $300,000 from the Federal Equitable Sharing Fund (forfeiture funds). This funding source may be used for salaries for the first year of new positions.  “Shared funds may be used to pay the first year’s salary and benefits of an individual hired for a new sworn law enforcement position that supplements the current law enforcement work force. After the first year, the salary and benefits for that position must be paid entirely from the agency’s appropriated funds.” US Department of Justice, Guide to Equitable Sharing  We are requesting $265,198 from BOCC Reserves to cover the remainder of the school year. Packet Pg. 363  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Future Funding Options  State Safe School Funding  Funding has declined 14% since 2007, from $75.3 million to $64.4 million.  Safe School funding declines have led to a significant reduction in SROs in Okaloosa County since 2008  Petition the Governor and Legislature to increase Safe School funding Florida 78 76 74 72 70 68 Florida 66 64 62 60 58 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Packet Pg. 364  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Future Funding Options  Ad Valorem Taxes  The BOCC funded portion of the program could be funded by an increase of one tenth (1/10th) of one millage point.  Local Option Sales Tax  A one eighth (1/8th) cent sales tax would generate approximately $3,375,000 per year.  Would Require a legislative change to the Florida Statutes to allow use for SRO program.  Would spread the funding burden from just property owners to everybody who purchases goods and services in Okaloosa County, an estimated 46% from tourists. Packet Pg. 365  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Future Funding Options  Utility Franchise Fee  It is estimated that a $2.50 per month franchise fee would generate over $2,000,000 yearly, just from residential customers  Local Option Fuel Tax  Designated for Transportation needs  Would require a Statute change  Local Option Utility Tax  Available to municipalities and charter counties only  Would require a Statute change  Local Option Communications Tax  Okaloosa County already uses this revenue source Packet Pg. 366  9.1.a.a Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning Future Funding Options  Tourist Development Tax  A Statute change would allow for the use of this revenue source for Beach and Marine Units supporting tourist areas  Would allow corresponding ad valorem revenue to be used for SRO programs  State Legislature Statutory Authority for a Special Taxing Unit for School Safety & Resource Programs  Would be a defined revenue source for school safety programs Packet Pg. 367  9.1.a.a Impact of not funding the expanded program Attachment: 2013 SRO Program Presentation (1311 : Continued Discussion Concerning  Traffic Enforcement Unit Cut to minimum staffing  Street Crime Unit Dissolved  Beach & Marine Unit Dissolved  Court Security Section Cut  Detention/Booking Section Cut  Civil Process Section Cut Packet Pg. 368  Total Salary & Current FY 13 Additional FY 13 Job Title School Benefits Sergeant - S.R.O. Disrtict 2 & 3 Supervisor 96,681 96,681 Sergeant - S.R.O. District 1 Supervisor 84,477 84,477 CORPORAL - S.R.O. FWB High 90,320 90,320 DEPUTY - S.R.O. OATC / Votec 85,372 85,372 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Okaloosa Stemm (Valp) 103,568 103,568 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Laurel Hill School 65,014 65,014 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Choctaw High 81,746 81,746 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Destin Elementary 70,428 70,428 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Crestview High 68,988 68,988 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Lewis Middle 72,442 72,442 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Mary Esther Elementary 70,558 70,558 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Destin Middle 67,431 67,431 DEPUTY - S.R.O. Davidson Middle