TITLE
HOLD a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending the FY 2013-14 Annual Budget and Plan of Municipal Services of the City of Killeen by increasing the Police Department State Seizure account.
SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2013-2014 ANNUAL BUDGET AND PLAN OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES OF THE CITY OF KILLEEN BY INCREASING THE POLICE STATE SEIZURE FUND BY $54,400 FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF RIFLES AND ACCESSORIES
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
POLICE DEPARTMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
State law, under Chapter 59 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, authorizes the state to share forfeited property and cash seized during criminal investigations with the participating law enforcement agency. Shared funds are kept in separate accounts, monitored, regulated, and under the control of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer. Sharing allows local law enforcement to fund programs that expand crime fighting resources and enforcement abilities above those routinely accessible through the normal budget processes. The governing body is required to be notified of budgeted expenditures from these accounts, the municipality may not use expenditures to offset or decrease salaries, expenses, or allowances already budgeted.
Typically funds are utilized to acquire items that enhance the operations of a department in the policing function and further their ability to conduct investigations and ensure convictions. Expenditures are normally one-time or first time expenditures for equipment or the temporary support of new unbudgeted police operations. We have typically utilized these funds for programs such as; new police weapon programs, surveillance equipment, and crime scene equipment.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
In an effort to meet the ever-growing demand of the policing mission, the department continuously evaluates the function, organization and resources available to it, to provide the most effective and safe policing performance. With the proliferation of high powered weapons with high capacity magazines, the potential for officers to encounter hostile threats with superior firepower is ever present and increasing constantly.
To better prepare our officers who encounter these criminal elements and their superior firepower, the department is moving to procure FNH USA Fn-15 rifles. The availability of this weapon will better prepare police officers to mitigate the superior firepower threat found today by providing the critical resources necessary for them to perform where and when needed.
In addition to seizure weapon credit, the initial funding for the weapons program is being drawn from the 2013 Jag Grant. The available funding in the grant is not sufficient to complete the procurement and additional funds are required from the State Seizure Account in the amount of $82,057.
The State Seizure Account has sufficient funds to cover this expenditure. However, the Departments line item budget is not sufficient and requires that $54,400 be released from the fund balance to Account 208-0000-495-61-35 Capital Outlay/Equipment and an ordinance amendment be made to adjust the Department Budget cap to make sufficient funds accessible to proceed with the procurement of the FNH USA Fn-15 rifles and accessories.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this budget amendment will increase the State Seizure Fund expenditures by $54,400 in account number 208-0000-495.61-35 and provide sufficient funding for this acquisition
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached Ordinance to amend the FY 2013-2014 Police Department budgeted funds in the State Seizure account 208-0000-495-61-35 Capital Outlay/equipment by $54,400 for the procurement of FNH USA Fn-15 rifles and accessories.