This week the Avalon City Council approved the city’s contract with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services for 2022-2023.
This was an item on the Consent Calendar. Consent items are voted on collectively, without discussion, unless pulled from the calendar for individual consideration.
“The estimated cost of services in FY 22-23 totals $1,659,588.78,” according to the June 21 staff report prepared by Administrative Analyst Devin Hart.
“ During the June 1, 2021 meeting of the City Council, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute the authorization form for FY 21-22 totaling $1,481,628.00,” Hart wrote.
“LASD works with 46 contract cities. Unlike other cites, the City of Avalon receives a special “Catalina Deputy” rate for services. From FY 21-22 to FY 22-23 the ‘Catalina Deputy’ rate increased from $266,960 to $271,836. The ‘Catalina Deputy’ rate is an approximate $29,449 savings per deputy over other cities,” Hart wrote.
“Additionally, LASD does not charge the City a salary for its Station Commander, six additional deputies, tour 911 emergency dispatchers, a portion of a jailer salary, use of various public safety equipment — including all department vehicles and boats — or any other supplemental services,” Hart wrote.
“For FY 22-23, LASD proposed increasing the number of paid deputies from 5 to 5.5. This change accounts for approximately $135,918 of the overall increase to the contract. With this proposed amendment, the Station Commander will have greater flexibility with schedule and more manpower to support the City’s needs,” Hart wrote.
“Per the terms of the contract, the City of Avalon has the option to request additional reserve deputies to provide public safety services on an as needed basis. The City does not pay these reserve deputies a salary, but the City does cover their travel, hotel accommodations and reimbursements for meals,” Hart wrote.
“Historically, the City has hired reserve deputies on popular weekends throughout the year as well as during cruise ship days. The fees for these reserve deputies are not included in the regular contract. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 situation, the City has not utilized reserve deputies as much as in previous years,” Hart wrote.
“From FY 2122 to FY 22-23 the total contract cost is projected to increase by approximately $177,930.78. There are two elements of the contract: cost of services and the hability trust fund allocation. The cost of services increased most significantly due to the addition of 0.5 deputies. The liability trust fund is the Contract Cities self-insurance and is allocated to members by multiplying the services provided by an approved percentage. The liability trust fund cost allocation percentage is 11% of the service cost and will slightly increase due to the additional deputy,” Hart wrote.
