09-09-96 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Committee Report Personnel and Finance September 4, 1996 Page 4 Council Member Pfeifer questioned staffing and was advised the three people would be ideal at peak with all positions being civilian. It was noted that the City of South Bend is becoming the training ground for the City of Mishawaka since Mishawaka pays $3,000 more per year for their dispatchers. Mr. Pinckert noted the overall net increase between both the Police Department Budget and the Communications Budget is 2.2% and if the CDBG are not received the increase will be 2.7% again both projections being well under the City Controller's recommendations and guidelines. Council Member Pfeifer questioned whether the City is linked with St. Joseph County Records Division and was advised that they are not. The Committee was also advised that the City of Mishawaka is not computerized at this stage with regard to their Records Division. The City of South Bend does charge a fee for a local records check however is prohibited to charge for NCIC under Federal law. Council Member Luecke requested an update on the new computers for the squad cars and was advised that this should be an added plus to the entire department which they are very excited about. Squad cars become travelling offices and e-mail will be received right in the squad cars as well as dispatches through the computers which will eliminate much of the traffic congestion on Channel 3. With regard to flexibility of shift assignments it was noted that take home cars will eliminate a lot of the problems experienced in the past. It will permit the officers to spend more time in their assigned beats. The Department is currently looking at overlapping shift times. Other programs which are being reviewed include staffing at peak hours which should again be reflected in the crime statistics which should have a positive impact resulting from the new programs. The response to Council Member Luecke's quesion it was also noted that 2 of the 10 new Officers live in the designated areas which will allow them to have their mortgage or rent reimbursed under the City guidelines. Council Member Pfeifer suggested cultural diversity training and was advised that an Officer has been sent to Plainfield so that in-house training in this area can take place. It was requested that the Common Council be updated and notified on this topic. Division Chief Kilgore stated that the Police administration is looking at many proactive programs which will continue to be developed. Mr.Pinckert noted that DARE which was formally in the Traffic Division is now in the Juvenile Division and the Juvenile Division is now a separate program. The Committee again voiced positive statements with regard to the Police administration. At approximately 4:00 p.m. the Committee then began the review of the Fire Department Budgets with Council Member Broden, Chief Luther Taylor, and Assistant Chief Rich Switalsid joining the Committee Meeting. FIRE DEPARTMENT: 1996 BUDGET $9,090,364 1997 PROPOSED $11,382,888