COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR RESOLUTION NO. 041076

Requesting the Board of Police Commissioners to investigate all areas of cooperation with the City for the purpose of preparing its fiscal year 2005 - 2006 budget.

WHEREAS, the City is obligated by State law to provide to the Board of Police Commissioners an amount equal to one-fifth of the City's general revenues; and

WHEREAS, the City's funding of the Board of Police Commissioners greatly exceeds the statutory requirement reflecting the City's ongoing commitment to public safety; and

WHEREAS, although the budget for the current fiscal year reflects a growth of less than one-quarter of one percent over the fiscal year 2001-2002, the increase in the budget for the Board of Police Commissioners is 24% over that same time; and

WHEREAS, the City Auditor has recommended consolidation of administrative and support functions between the Police Department and the City; and

WHEREAS, although the City is statutorily prohibited from managing the affairs of the police department, the Board and the City are permitted to cooperate in many activities, such as fleet management, purchasing, information technology, human resources and other appropriate activities; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council will hold the City Manager and his department directors responsible for prudent, effective and innovative budgeting as the City confronts another year of financial distress; and

WHEREAS, consolidation and cooperation can make available additional funds for community policing, patrol and response, and to help the Board of Police Commissioners plan for services to growing areas of the City; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Police Commissioners is the single largest departmental expenditure of the City and to allow the Mayor and Council to meet their obligations to the residents of the City every entity supported by tax revenue should find ways to save money; and

WHEREAS, as part of the consideration of the current budget the Council directed the City Manager to investigate issues of consolidation and efficiencies in future budgets; NOW, THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council request the Board of Police Commissioners cooperate with the City Manager in finding as many areas in which joint efforts to provide services can be implemented for the purpose of avoiding duplication of service and to exercise responsible stewardship of public funds.

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