Submitted By: Susan Dobson
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Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
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Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Budget Resolution 2022-136 amending the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget to appropriate additional funding for the Ocala Police Department communication center expansion in the amount of $32,000.
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place.
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
Section 212.055(2) Florida Statutes provides for the levy of a local government infrastructure surtax (sales tax) by the governing body of each county. The levy of the sales tax requires that the county place it before a vote of the electors via referendum. A majority vote of the electorate is required for passage of the referendum. The proceeds of the sales tax shall be distributed to the County and municipalities within the county according to the formula provided in section 218.62, Florida Statutes.
In 2016, the Infrastructure Surtax was approved by 55 percent of Marion County voters to fund public safety improvements and major road projects throughout the county for four calendar years. This Surtax was renewed by the voters on November 3, 2020 and will be levied for an additional four years beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2024.
The Ocala Police Department needs to expand the Communication Center to have room for the additional personnel needed to adequately cover the shifts. The current set up and size of the Communication Center does not accomplish this need. OPD will expand the Communication Center with the addition of Fire Dispatch and the additional dispatchers due to the growth of the community. This expansion will double the number of consoles from 10 to 20 and will provide the room for additional personnel and back-up stations for disaster preparedness.
On June 1, 2021, the department requested the utilization of $1,057,794 of these funds to expand the Police Department's Communication Cent...
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