Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges / Susan Dobson
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
end
Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-159 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept and appropriate Chaplain Program grant funds from Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems for a full-time Police Chaplain in the amount of $99,694
end
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
The Ocala Police Department’s (OPD) Chaplain Program operates on a volunteer basis. Those serving dedicate their time, energy, and emotional labor to the department. Chaplains provide critical services-including crisis response, grief support, counseling, and spiritual care-without financial compensation. Transitioning to a paid police chaplain position is a strategic investment in officer wellness, departmental resilience, and community trust. On April 24, 2025, OPD was awarded a grant through Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems in the amount of $99,694, effective July 1, 2025, pending City approval, and continuing through June 30, 2026, to cover the salary and benefits of a full-time chaplain.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
A formalized, paid chaplain position will enable the expansion of services, participation in ongoing officer wellness initiatives, provision of consistent support, fuller engagement in departmental and community outreach activities, and oversight of other OPD volunteer chaplains. No match is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems will reimburse the City of Ocala based on invoices submitted on a quarterly basis. Funds will be applied to revenue account 001-337-000-000-07-33734. The expenditure accounts span several object codes in 001-051-867* (MUNIS contract #250720).
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Adopt with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2025-159
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE CHAPLAIN PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS FROM LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA HEALTH SYSTEMS FOR A FULL-TIME POLICE CHAPLAIN TOTALING $99,694
WHEREAS, the Ocala Police Department recognizes the critical role of Police Chaplains in providing spiritual support, emotional care, and moral guidance to law enforcement officers, department staff, and their families; and
WHEREAS, the duties of the Police Chaplain include offering confidential counseling, conducting memorial and ceremonial services, responding to critical incidents, assisting with stress management, and supporting community engagement and outreach efforts; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2025, the Ocala Police Department was awarded grant funding through a Purchase Order Agreement 2 issued by Lutheran Services Florida, Inc., Health Systems, with an effective date of July 1, 2025, pending City approval, through June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems has allocated an amount not to exceed $99,694 to fund a full-time Police Chaplain position with benefits, with no cash match required from the City of Ocala.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, that the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget be amended as outlined below to appropriate $99,694 for salaries and benefits.
|
SOURCE: |
|
|
|
001-337-000-000-07-33734 |
OPD Chaplain Program |
$99,694 |
|
USE: |
|
|
|
001-051-867-521-52-12020 |
Salaries |
$63,800 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-21010 |
FICA |
$ 4,881 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-22012 |
Retirement |
$ 5,104 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-23010 |
Health & Life Insurance |
$13,750 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-23030 |
LTD |
$ 182 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-24010 |
Workers Comp |
$ 2,306 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-41010 |
Communication Services |
$ 363 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-47000 |
Printing & Binding |
$ 2,500 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-40010 |
Travel & Training |
$ 3,000 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-52010 |
Operating Supplies |
$ 2,634 |
|
001-051-867-521-52-54010 |
Books, Pubs, Subsc, Memberships |
$ 1,174 |
|
|
TOTAL |
$99,694 |
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager