Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges / Susan Dobson
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
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Department: Police
FORMAL TITLE:
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Budget Resolution 2026-153 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to accept and appropriate grant funds received from Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems for the Ocala Police Department Chaplain Program in the amount of $99,779
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Ocala Police Department (OPD) is currently staffed by a full-time, compensated chaplain who provides crisis response, grief support, counseling, spiritual care, and wellness services to officers, staff, and their families. For the 2026-2026 funding cycle, the position was funded through Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On July 6, 2026, the City of Ocala, through the Ocala Police Department, was awarded grant funding from Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems in the amount of $99,779. This grant will continue to support the salary, benefits, and program-related operating costs of the full-time police chaplain dedicated to serving police officers, staff, and their families. This funding is effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Lutheran Services Florida, Inc., Health Systems will reimburse the City of Ocala based on invoices submitted quarterly. Funds will be applied to revenue account 001-337-000-000-09-33005. The expenditure accounts span several object codes in 001-051-861* (MUNIS contract #260819).
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2026-153
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE A CHAPLAIN PROGRAM GRANT FROM LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,779
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 July 6, 2026, the Ocala Police Department was awarded grant funding through a purchase order agreement issued by Lutheran Services Florida, Inc., Health Systems, with an effective date of July 1, 2026, pending City Council approval, through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems has allocated an amount not to exceed $99,779 to continue funding a full-time police chaplain position with benefits, without matching funds 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 2025-26 budget be amended as outlined below to appropriate $99,779 for salaries and benefits.
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SOURCE: |
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001-337-000-000-07-33734 |
OPD Chaplain Program |
$99,779 |
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USE: |
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001-051-861-521-52-12020 |
Salaries |
$65,714 |
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001-051-861-521-52-21010 |
FICA |
$ 5,675 |
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001-051-861-521-52-22012 |
Retirement |
$ 5,915 |
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001-051-861-521-52-23010 |
Health & Life Insurance |
$15,970 |
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001-051-861-521-52-23030 |
LTD |
$ 190 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-24010 |
Workers Comp |
$ 1,272 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-41010 |
Communication Services |
$ 622 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-47000 |
Printing & Binding |
$ 500 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-40010 |
Travel & Per Diem |
$ 1,000 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-55010 |
Training |
$ 385 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-52010 |
Operating Supplies |
$ 2,170 |
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001-051-861 -521-52-54010 |
Books, Pubs, Subsc, Memberships |
$ 366 |
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TOTAL |
$99,779 |
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2026.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Ire J. Bethea Sr.
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