Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Consultant lays out costs, timeline for reestablishing Willows Police Department
Summary
A consultant presented staffing, startup and ongoing cost estimates for a reconstituted Willows Police Department, projecting a tight staffing model, one‑time startup costs of roughly $1.15 million to $1.8 million and ongoing costs about $2.1 million a year; council members pressed on staffing levels, facility requirements and funding options.
At the request of the Willows City Council, consultant Brian Uhler of Municipal Resource Group presented a feasibility and cost estimate for reestablishing a Willows Police Department, outlining proposed staffing, one‑time startup expenses and yearly operating costs.
Uhler said the study compared Willows to similar Northern California cities and used an 80th‑percentile salary target to improve recruitment. He proposed an initial staffing model composed of a chief, two sergeants, six patrol officers and one analyst (nine sworn officers plus one civilian analyst in the study’s accounting). "The total salary cost with benefits at $1,510,000 per year" was the figure Uhler used in parts of his presentation, and later slides showed a fully burdened ongoing budget — including maintenance and services — of about $2,114,000 per year.
The consultant explained the immediate budget impact of the planning phase would be modest, about $90,000, and that larger one‑time costs for vehicles, equipment and facility work were concentrated in the 2025–26 budget year. Uhler gave a midrange one‑time cost of $1,149,000 and a high‑cost option of about $1.8 million; he estimated a low‑cost approach could reduce one‑time spending to just under $1,000,000 by using used vehicles and deferring remodeling.
Uhler also reviewed implementation steps and a target operational start date of July 1, 2026. He warned that state requirements for police facilities mean a permanent station would likely take several years to design and construct, and recommended a temporary facility in existing city hall space (about 1,300 square feet) to start operations.
Council members asked detailed questions about coverage and officer safety. Council member Hanson said the proposed nine‑sworn schedule left "no room for vacation," and Uhler acknowledged the duty roster would be "very tight" and rely on overlap, overtime and mutual‑aid from neighboring agencies. The proposal includes a $70,000 overtime line to cover expected overtime from the 12‑hour shift pattern the plan assumes.
On long‑term costs, Uhler showed a comparison with the county sheriff contract: the consultant estimated the sheriff's upcoming contract at about $2,355,000 per year versus an internal department cost of about $2,114,000 per year — a gap he described as "very small" over a multi‑year horizon and dependent on recovering one‑time startup costs.
Council members discussed recruiting challenges and incentives such as signing bonuses, take‑home vehicles and paying at or above the market 80th percentile to attract laterals. Several members said officer safety and the ability to sustain coverage during injuries or vacancies weighed heavily in any decision.
No formal council action was taken; the presentation closed to public comment and council discussion. Uhler said he would be available for follow‑up questions and that staff would use the study as a basis for budget planning and additional analysis.
The council’s questions centered on funding pathways, facility timing and whether to model a department with more than nine sworn officers to increase coverage and reduce reliance on overtime.
