Page 84 - Benbrook FY20 Approved Budget

CITY OF BENBROOK 2019-20 ANNUAL BUDGET

Continuation of funding for a signing bonus of $5,000 to recruit one certified Police Officer was approved. This incentive was added as a
decision package in the 2012-13 Budget.

The Police Department requested funding for one additional full-time Police Officer positions in 2019-20.

The 2019-20 Budget includes additional funds for vehicle fuel based on escalating costs of gasoline and increased use of sport utility vehicles
instead of sedans as patrol vehicles.

The scheduled replacement of patrol vehicles is included in both the 2018-19 re-estimate and the 2019-20 Budget. Funds are also included
to upgrade and to replace four sets of light bars for vehicles, seven taser devices, and eleven SWAT ballistic helmets.

Criminal Investigation Services (C.I.S.) Activity

The Criminal Investigation Services (C.I.S.) Activity is staffed by one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, five Detectives, and one Property Custodian.
The 2019-20 Budget for the Criminal Investigation Services Activity totals $1,080,681 for an increase of $64,035 from the 2018-19 re-
estimate of $1,016,646.

Funds are included in the 2019-20 Budget for the cost-of-living adjustment for employees; costs include salaries and fringe benefits. The
Budget includes funds for an increase in health, dental, and life insurance premiums for these employees. The Budget includes funds to cover
scheduled merit increases, and related increases in fringe benefits for eligible employees in the Police Department’s C.I.S. Activity.

Crime Prevention Activity

The Crime Prevention Activity is staffed by the Crime Prevention Officer; this position is classified as Detective/Corporal. The Crime Prevention
Activity's 2019-20 Budget allocation totals $132,684 for a net decrease of $95,640 from the 2018-19 re-estimate of $228,324. The
2019-20 Budget includes for the cost-of-living adjustment for the Crime Prevention Officer. The Budget includes funds for an increase in
health, dental, and life insurance premiums for these employees.

One Detective position was re-assigned to the C.I.S. Activity from the Crime Prevention Activity in the 2018-19 Budget.

School Safety Activity

The 2019-20 Budget for the School Safety Activity is $74,820 for a decrease of $297 from the 2018-19 re-estimate of $75,117. City
Council approved contracting with a private company to provide crossing guards at key intersections to assist students at schools located in
Benbrook. Even with an increase in pay, the City was not able to hire qualified candidates for crossing guards. When crossing guards were
hired, individuals were not always dependable and available for each shift. Police Department staff were pulled from service to work

84 | P a g e