Police department requests records/case manager and several capital items; court security position not funded this year

Tifor Howard (presenting for the department) and Lieutenant Sealy described a personnel request for a records/case manager to handle downloading, storing and transferring digital media and to assist with over 1,000 public information requests. As the department put it, “they were unable to get the video uploaded during that time” during a recent demo, and staff said manual downloads are taking multiple hours and pulling officers from patrol duties.

Staff said the department removed the court security officer from the proposed budget and “we have made the decision not to fund it this year.” The presentation itemized personnel and capital changes: removal of a court security officer (personnel reduction of roughly $103,653 including benefits), removal of a temporary holding facility expense from certain accounts with a rollover to finish the project and a new capital request for vehicles — seven patrol cars and one animal control car — and other equipment. A cost estimate for seven patrol vehicles was cited during discussion (a line item of $434,000 was referenced).

The department also described non‑personnel safety items: mobile vehicle barrier options for special events, license‑plate‑reader expansion and a health‑screening grant for sworn personnel. Council members asked whether some of the safety items could be funded from tourism/hotel‑occupancy funds; those are pending legal and policy review.

Discussion included a request from council that staff continue conversations with the county district attorney about the records/case manager need and whether the county’s requirements are driving the position. No formal council action was taken at the workshop; staff said the records/case manager position would be discussed further with county staff and may be added back into the city budget pending that conversation.