2021-058 Proposed Police Department PositionsDate: August 13, 2021 Report No. 2021-058
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Police Department Positions in Proposed Budget and Proposed Projects
BACKGROUND:
On Aug. 2, 2021, Council Member Armintor requested information on the function and need for
the five Police Department civilian positions in the City Manager’s FY 2021-22 Proposed Budget.
Council Member Armintor also inquired about the street outreach expansion FTEs in the American
Rescue Plan (ARP) Proposed Projects.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department personnel request is based on the Matrix Consulting Group’s Police
Department Staffing Study that was presented to the City Council on Aug. 3, 2020. The Matrix
team conducted a comprehensive analysis of current service levels, operations, and delivery of
services; current and projected staffing; comparison to best practices; and organization and
operations management.
In the report, the Matrix Consulting Group recommended:
“Through 2030, the department will need to add 35 sworn and 6 civilian positions to keep
up with service impacts that result from growth. These numbers are in addition to the
staffing recommendations to address current issues identified in the report.”
The FY2021-22 Proposed Budget includes five civilian Police positions to address the needs
described in the staffing study. Information on each proposed civilian position is provided below:
• (1) Grants Manager - Administrative Bureau
As recommended by the City Auditor’s report in June 2020, incorporating a centralized
source within the department with the administrative and technical skillset to ensure all
financial grant requirements are met by the department after grant funds are secured is a
critical need. As of date, this function is being absorbed by various police personnel
working within the impacted workgroup of the grant. By incorporating a non-sworn staff
person to monitor the department’s grants, it will better enable the sworn personnel the
ability to focus on maintaining the operational components of the grant.
• (2) Administrative Assistant II - Patrol Operations Bureau
Currently, Lieutenants in the Patrol Operations Bureau process cases to be sent to the
District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. This is extremely time consuming and detracts
from these supervisors’ ability to oversee other aspects of their shifts. There is not currently
administrative support within the Operations Bureau; several surrounding law enforcement
agencies employ civilians to complete this critical task. The two proposed Administrative
Assistants would prepare and file cases, expediting the process. This would allow all
criminal cases to be resolved faster, increasing due process for both suspects and victims
Date: August 13, 2021 Report No. 2021-058
of crime. The addition of these positions would also allow the Lieutenants added time to
supervise their officers more directly, which will result in better service to community
members.
• (1) Quartermaster - Support Operations Bureau
At the recommendation of the Matrix Consulting Group, the Quartermaster function was
moved out of the Recruiting Unit and to the Support Division. The staffing study also
recommended hiring a civilian to staff the position. As of date, a sworn Police Lieutenant
is conducting the purchasing, issuance, and tracking of the department’s equipment and
uniforms. Additionally, the purchasing, issuing, and tracking of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) is being conducted by a second sworn Police Lieutenant and an officer
assigned as the Emergency Management Coordinator. These Lieutenants are currently
being tasked with the daily functions of making equipment and supply purchases, issuing
supplies and equipment, and maintaining the inventory of records. By integrating a civilian
position to assume responsibility over the Quartermaster function, the position will be less
expensive to staff, the department will become more fiscally responsible in equipment-
related expenses through improved tracking, and the Police Lieutenants and Emergency
Management Coordinator will be able to focus their time on oversight of police officers
and emergency management functions.
• (1) Fleet Specialist - Support Operations Bureau
As recommended in the staffing study, the department would like to incorporate one
civilian position to assist in the management of the department’s Fleet/Body Worn
Cameras. As of date, the department currently has one Police Officer assuming the
responsibilities of the unit’s daily tasks. A vast majority of the functions of the position
require knowledge of current technology and I.T.-related issues and systems. While some
law enforcement operational knowledge is a benefit for the practical uses of the equipment
in the field, this could be learned by a civilian, or someone with previous law enforcement
experience. Adding a civilian position to the unit will enable the officer to concentrate on
troubleshooting issues experienced by staff and eventually transfer duties completely and
return to duties requiring a sworn officer.
Two street outreach FTEs were also included in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Proposed
Projects list presented to City Council. Staff proposed funding a Firefighter/Paramedic and Crisis
Intervention Clinician, who would be housed within the Mental Health Division of the Denton
Police Department. While the firefighter would still report to the Fire Department, both FTEs
would work daily with the two Homeless Outreach Team sworn officers. This team will continue
to collaboratively work with community partners to build relationships and connect those living
unsheltered with resources and housing.
STAFF CONTACT:
Frank Dixon
Chief of Police
Frank.Dixon@cityofdenton.com
Date: August 13, 2021 Report No. 2021-058
REQUESTOR:
Council Member Armintor
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
Police
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
2 hours
215 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201 (940) 349-8307
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 5, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Cassandra Ogden - Director of Finance
SUBJECT: City Council Budget Workshop Questions and Responses
A budget workshop was held with the City Council on August 2, 2021. Below is a summary of
questions and requests from the City Council as I understand them.
1. Information was requested on the responsibilities for the new administrative civilian
positions and street outreach positions for the Police Department in the City
Manager’s FY 2021-22 Proposed Budget.
Police Department staff is preparing an Informal Staff report with details to be shared soon.
Staff Contact: Frank Dixon, Police Department
2. Can we get a copy of the tax rate calculation form?
Form 50-856 2021 can be found on the following website:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/truth-in-taxation/calculations.php
Staff Contact: Heather Gray, Finance
3. Regarding the General Fund Revenues pie-chart (page 12 of the Proposed Budget
Presentation): What is the difference between other revenues and transfers?
The detailed back up for this chart can be found on page 77 of the Proposed Annual Program of
Services. “Other Revenues” on the pie-chart is labeled as Miscellaneous Revenues in the book and
is proposed to be $3,855,490 in FY 2021-22. Transfers is proposed to be $28,260,567 in FY 2021-
22. Examples of Miscellaneous Revenues include interest income, DISD contributions, and Little
Elm dispatch service. Examples of Transfer revenues include ROI for water, wastewater, electric
and admin transfers from utilities.
Staff Contact: Heather Gray, Finance
4. Can we provide citizens access to the Balancing Act software in the Libraries?
Each library facility has 12-25 public access computers. On Monday, August 9 at 8:30 a.m., a
social media post to Facebook and Twitter will be made encouraging citizens to visit the public
computers to use the Balancing Act software. In addition, Public Affairs is working to develop
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signage to promote the Balancing Act tool at the libraries. The signs should be posted by Monday,
August 9.
Staff Contact: Jennifer Bekker, Library
5. Can we look at options for expanding the TIRZ?
The information provided is in response to a Council request on the growth and development in
the Westpark Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. Two and if it is possible to expand
the TIRZ or create new zones in other areas of the City in order to capture the rapid growth in
development and valuation.
A TIRZ is a tool that local governments can use to publicly finance needed structural
improvements and enhance infrastructure within a defined area in order to stimulate private
development and redevelopment. An ad valorem valuation base is established in the first year, and
the revenue from the increased valuation from subsequent years is allocated to development within
the zone.
Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code, the Tax Increment Financing Act, allows for amending the
boundaries of a TIRZ. The Westpark TIRZ consists of approximately 800 acres and is located
north of Airport Road in the largest industrially zoned area in the City. Staff is currently working
on updating the valuation and projected revenue, of the over 3 million square feet of developments,
in the Westpark TIRZ. Once this analysis is completed, staff can better explore if there is a need
to expand the boundaries of the TIRZ and examine other considerations. This information will be
brought to the TIRZ No. Two Board and City Council in the future. City staff have also started
exploring if an additional industrial-focused TIRZ could be created in the future Loop 288 corridor,
as a number of industrial developments are occurring in the approximately 700-acre area that could
require public improvements.
Staff Contact: Erica Sullivan, Economic Development
6. Additional follow-up items were requested and require more in-depth research.
These items will be presented to Council in an upcoming budget presentation:
• Explanation and options regarding Franchise Fees
• Explanation and options regarding Homestead Exemptions
• Options for electric’s Return on Investment (ROI) rate
• Median vs Mean taxable values
• Impact of approving various supplementals on the tax rate