Fort Lauderdale police chief asks for $1.9 million in special-event overtime, cameras and staff to cut forensic backlog

Chief Schultz, Fort Lauderdale police chief, told the Budget Advisory Board on May 21 that the Police Department submitted six decision packages as part of the city budget process, starting with a request for $1,900,000 to cover overtime for city-sponsored special events.

"These events have become, much to the city's credit, become so successful," Chief Schultz said. "This package is asking for $1,900,000 in addition to our regular overtime funding to assist us in paying the officers who we sometimes mandate to come in ... to work these events."

The department described the overtime request as covering recurring city events including New Year's Eve, the MLK parade, Memorial Weekend events, the Great American Beach Party, Fourth of July, Sistrunk Festival and spring break. Schultz told the board the amount was calculated with OMB based on prior years' overtime coding and includes FICA.

A second package would fund operating costs tied to the planned new police headquarters (landscaping, utilities and service contracts) and would be adjusted to the building move-in date. A third package focuses on technology to…