Page 14 - 2019-20-CitizensGuideToBudget

Public Safety Expenses

Police Department

The City has continued to increase the number of police offi cers based on accountable budgets. While developing the
budget, the County Board of Supervisors and County Sheriff department initally announced impacts that would result in
contract increases up to 9.5% or $5 million each of the next three years. This would be a comulative increase of 28.5% or 15
million over the three years. Although some estimates have been revised, the City must plan for some of these worst case
scenarios.

The average cost per contracted fully supported Deputy Sheriff is almost $350,000. Based on current budget and staff
levels, police cost is $211 per person or $842 per household and represents 39.8% of General Fund expenditures.

Average Annual Increase of 5.80%
FY FY FY
10% 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22

FY
8% FY 2015/16
2014/15 FY
2017/18
6% FY
FY FY 2016/17
2012/13 2013/14
4%
FY
2018/19
2% FY
2011/12

0%

Fire Department

Fire Services are provided out of seven stations located throughout the City, with the support of 75 fi refi ghters; which includes
recent staff additions for the new fi re squad.

The FY 2019/20 Fire Department budget exceeds $23 million. Based on the current population, this cost is equal to $109 per
person or $435 per household and represents 20.5% of General Fund expenditures.

Fire Operation Staffi ng
9% Increase In Contract Positions

78
FY FY FY
76 FY 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21
2017/18
74
72
FY
70 2014/15 FY FY
2015/16 2016/17
68
66

64
62

Citizens’ Guide | 14