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CITY CLERK
File # D0J[8][Q]-@(QJ
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: (August 13,1996)
SUBJECT:
Informational Report Regarding the Citizens Option for Public
Safety (COPS) Program
Report Prepared by: Ellen C. Wbittom, Interim Finance Managr~
t1 ^,~Receive Report
RECOMMENDATION:
FINANCIAL STATEMENT:
Under the COPS Program, the City of Dublin will receive a funding
allocation of approximately $61,000 for the 1996-97 fiscal year, to
be used for supplemental front line municipal police services.
DESCRIPTION:
The State of California budget for the 1996-97 fiscal year, which
was adopted by the legislature and signed by the Governor in early
July, established the COPS Program and appropriated $100 million
of funding for this program from the state general fund. This report
describes some of the specific requirements and constraints of the
COPS program and outlines the process by which local funding is
allocated and appropriated for local programs.
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General Provisions of the COPS Program: The COPS Program is established as an ongoing program
to supplement front line law enforcement services. The program has been funded by the State for the
1996-97 fiscal year; however, it requires an annual appropriation for continued funding. Accordingly, at
the current time, it is difficult to rely on this program for ongoing support of municipal police services.
Funding allocated through the COPS Program can be used only for front line municipal police services,
which, by definition, include anti-gang and community crime prevention programs. Administrative
overhead costs are specifically limited to 0.5% of the total allocation. Capital expenditures are acceptable
if they directly support front line police services.
Process and Methodology for Funding Allocation: Under the provisions of the COPS Program, the
State Controller is to allocate funding to each county in the state based on its pro-rata share of the state
population. This allocation is to be made no later than September 15, 1996 and is to be deposited into a
separate county fund. Within thirty days of receipt, each county is to allocate the funding as follows:
1. 12.5% to the county sheriff for county jail construction and operation;
2. 12.5% to the district attorney for criminal prosecution; and
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COPIES TO:
ITEM NO.
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COPS Program Informational Report
Page 2
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3. 75% to the county and cities in the county (based on the pro-rata share of population) to be used
for supplemental front line law enforcement services. The Lea~e of California Cities has
estimated that cities should expect to receive approximately $2.30 per capita. This results in an
anticipated allocation for the City of Dublin of $61.136.
Funding allocated to the City is to be deposited into a separate fund (Supplemental Law Enforcement
Services Fund or SLESF). Under the provisions of the law, the City Council appropriates this money
after holding a public hearing in September. At the public hearing, the City Council is to consider the
written request of the police chief or chief administrator of the law enforcement agency that provides
police services for that city as to how the money should be allocated. Given that Alameda County
provides police services to the City of Dublin through a contract which is administered by the City
Manager, it is appropriate for the City Manager to provide the City Council with recommendations as to
the expenditure of the local COPS funding. The law specifies that once the appropriation is made, it
cannot be altered by subsequent action of the City Council during the same fiscal year. In addition, the
law states that the funds may be used to supplement existing services and may not be used to supplant
existing funding.
Supplemental Law Enforcement Oversight Committee: The law establishes a Supplemental Law
Enforcement Oversight Committee (SLEOC) in each county, which includes one municipal police chief,
one city manager, the district attorney, the county executive officer and the county sheriff. This
committee is charged with reviewing the expenditures of COPS funding by the cities, the county sheriff
and the district attorney to ensure compliance with the provisions and requirements of the COPS Program.
The cities in the county are to organize a selection committee to appoint the city manager and police chief
representatives to the SLEOC.
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Reporting Requirements: As a recipient of funds, the City of Dublin will be required to complete
monthly reports regarding the investment and expenditure of local COPS funding, as well as an annual
report (beginning in September of 1998) to the SLEOC regarding the expenditure of the local allocation
for the prior fiscal year.
NEXT STEPS: During the next month, the City Manager will be working with the other cities in
Alameda County to select a city manager and police chief representative to the SLEOC. In September, a
public hearing will be scheduled to consider the City Manager's recommendation for expenditure of the
City of Dublin's allocation of COPS funding for the 1996-97 fiscal year.
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