Staff seek $150,000 for Desert Rise cleanup; council previewed police equipment purchases

Staff told the council they will present a March 10 budget adjustment that includes cleanup and outreach for the Desert Rise encampment and other one‑time public‑safety expenditures.

Public‑safety staff said Desert Rise has grown to about 40 encampments and outlined a timeline: soft outreach and notices in March, in‑person contact in April, final notices in May and an objective to have the area cleared by June 1. Staff said the outreach and cleanup package — dumpsters, towing, signage and outreach via service providers — is a conservative estimate at about $150,000.

The same adjustment would use available one‑time public‑safety savings to fund several capital items: an evidence van, replacement in‑car and portable radios, five vehicles anticipated over the next two years, drones with longer battery life and infrared sensors, night‑vision equipment for tactical teams, a DOS radio tower to fix local dead zones, and a digital key box for the new police facility. Staff said those items are intended as one‑time capital expenses to smooth the five‑year forecast and avoid recurring operating costs.

Council members questioned the lifecycle cost and replacement funding for radios and cameras; staff said warranties, trade‑in options and multi‑year forecasting would inform future replacement budgets. Staff also noted that preparing the Desert Rise parcel for market could help replenish the general fund if the city can sell the property for industrial use in the future.

The council did not approve the adjustment at the meeting; staff will return with the formal budget proposal on March 10 for council consideration.