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Committee delays Matrix Consulting staffing study vote, seeks scope and community-engagement details
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee took time on an ordinance to contract Matrix Consulting Group for a staffing study of the Akron Police Department, asking for greater detail about the scope and community engagement. Staff said the project would take about six months and is intended to guide the 2026 budget process.
The Akron Budget and Finance Committee voted to take time on an ordinance that would authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with Matrix Consulting Group to conduct a comprehensive staffing study for the Akron Police Department.
HR and police department staff told the committee the study would review staffing levels, deployment, detective bureau assignments, and community expectations; it includes a community engagement component and an employee survey. Staff said the project is expected to take about six months so any recommendations could inform the 2026 budget process.
Montrella Jackson, representing the joint effort between HR and the police department, told the committee that the city issued a request for proposals and that Matrix Consulting Group was the recommended selection after reviewing submissions. Jackson said the selection process returned several proposals and that Matrix’s work would cover deployment and whether positions are assigned to the right areas.
Deputy Chief Makosi described the study’s scope: “They also are going to go through our detective bureau, look at the positions there, what are the positions that are needed. They're gonna review what we're doing against what best practice is in the industry, not only in Akron, Ohio, but in cities of similar size that are similarly, situated.” He said the firm would analyze call data and community expectations to produce recommendations.
Committee members asked about cost and procurement details. A figure of about $138,000 was mentioned during discussion; staff said the expenditure had not been budgeted and noted that a similar study had been done in-house in 2017 but that the city currently lacks capacity to perform a comparable analysis internally. Committee members repeatedly requested a written scope of services and more detail on proposed community engagement methods (surveys, ward meetings, or other outreach). Several council members urged outreach in ward meetings to reach residents who do not engage on social media.
After discussion, a motion for time to allow staff to provide a detailed scope of services and community-engagement plans was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor and the item was put on temporary time for additional information.
