Submitted By: Angy Scroble / Susan Dobson
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Presentation By: Angy Scroble
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Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve the second amendment to the agreement with the Marion County School Board for the School Resource Officer Program with receivables of $1,687,330
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The School Resource Officer Program assigns a school resource officer (SRO) to work closely with the school principal and staff to develop plans and strategies to prevent and minimize dangerous situations that may result in student unrest. They make referrals to community agencies for students and staff as needed as well as provide educational counseling and law enforcement as needed and warranted.
Pursuant to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026), the Marion County School Board and the City of Ocala have drafted an agreement to assign police officers to 16 schools to further the safety and security of students and staff. The Agreement for the School Resource Officer Program (“Original Agreement”) was entered into for an initial term of three years on June 28, 2022.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Under the Original Agreement, the Ocala Police Department assigned one regularly employed police officer to each of the following schools: Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School, College Park
Elementary School, Eighth Street Elementary School, Madison Street Academy School, Oakcrest
Elementary School, South Ocala Elementary School, Ward-Highlands Elementary School, Wyomina Park Elementary School, Fort King Middle School, Hillcrest School, Howard Middle School, Marion Technical College, Marion Technical Institute, and Osceola Middle School; and two (2) regularly employed police officers each to Vanguard High School and West Port High School.
On August 23, 2024, City Council approved the First Amendment to the Original Agreement which increased the number of police officers assigned to West Port High School to three (3) and expanded the duties of the SROs to include provisions related to requirements and maintenance of certain training certifications.
Previously, through a separate agreement with Silver River Mentoring and Instruction, Inc. (SRMI), the City of Ocala assigned one regularly employed police officer each to Silver River Mentoring and Instruction and New Leaf alternative schools.
Since the approval of the First Amendment, the Marion County School Board has elected not to renew its contract with SRMI and to instead house the students who previously attended the alternative schools on the campus of Marion Technical Institute. This necessitates the need for a Second Amendment to the Original Agreement for the assignment of a second regularly employed police officer to be placed at this location.
The Second Amendment to the Original Agreement encompasses the following modifications:
1. Under ARTICLE II, Rights and Duties of the City Police Department Section 1.C. is hereby amended as follows for the 2024-2025 school year:
C. The City Police Department shall assign SROs to the following schools:
1) Marion Technical Institute - (2) SROs
2) Vanguard High School - (2) SROs
3) West Port High School - (3) SROs
2. Under ARTICLE II, Rights and Duties of the City Police Department, Section 1.B.5) is hereby deleted for the 2024-2025 school year.
3. Under ARTICLE IV, Financing the SRO Program Section 1, the third year of the Original Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
$84,366.50/SRO x 20 SROs = $1,687,330 for the 2024-2025 school year.
4. Under ARTICLE IV, Financing the SRO Program Section 2, the monthly rate will increase to $140,610.83 for the remainder of the Agreement which terminates on June 30, 2025, but will not go into effect until the newly assigned SRO begins their assignment at the school. The remaining total costs under the Agreement will depend on when the SRO starts the assignment identified in Article II. The cost of this Agreement shall not exceed $1,687,330 for the 2024-2025 school year.
5. In all other respects, the Original Agreement between the parties shall remain in full force and effect.
The SRO Program has benefited the City of Ocala, the Marion County School Board, and the students at public schools.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Marion County School Board will increase the amount it pays the City of Ocala from $133,580 per month to $140,610.83 for the remainder of the Agreement, which terminates on June 30, 2025. The revenue will be appropriated to revenue account number 001-342-000-000-02-34215 as part of the annual budget process.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
This contract has been reviewed and approved in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny