Discuss Community Service Officer Staffing

The purpose of this case is to update the City Council regarding a recent staffing change in the Police Department and to explain the case on the regular agenda regarding this matter.  

Background:  On October 28th, the City received a letter of resignation from one of its part-time Community Service Officers, Mr. Ryan Duran, stating his last day with the City would be November 11, 2022.  Since 2015, the City has employed two part-time Community Services Officers (CSOs), both at 25 hours per week.    Prior to mid 2015 the City employed one full-time CSO.  Staff reviewed the CSO staffing levels and is suggesting the current CSO position, working 25 hours per week, become full-time. 

Aside from the vacant part-time CSO position, a new part-time CSO position is included in the 2023 budget.  Essentially, staff is proposing to only fill one part-time position, rather than two, and convert the current part-time position to full-time, which would satisfy the CSO staffing needs in the Police Department.  If approved, this full-time CSO position will serve to train in the new part-time CSO; relieving command staff of this responsibility. Community Service Officer, Katie McNally has been working 25 hours per week in the Police Department.  She has been in this role since early 2019. She is well suited to train and mentor a new part-time CSO.  At a later date, the department may consider implementing a Lead Community Service Officer position.  At this time, that position is not approved nor budgeted for.  However, as the department grows having a lead position would further relieve command staff of training responsibilities.  This lead role is not part of this evening's request.  The Police Chief will be on hand to provide additional details at the work session.   

Finance Director Diana Lund provided the financial impact of this request.  The 2023 budget impact would be an additional cost of $953.00 compared to if Mr. Duran was still with the City.  The pros to this proposal include retaining a seasoned CSO, providing consistency within the Police Department on a full-time basis and having a full-time trainer for the new part-time position.  The cons include an overall loss of 10 hours per week (because of the loss of a 25 hours per week position with only adding back 15 of those hours to the full-time role).  However, staff feels there is an overall benefit to productivity with a full-time CSO.

Note: This case is included on this evening's agenda for formal action, effective January 1, 2023.  

Up to 10 minutes.

The additional funding of $953.00 will be absorbed within the 2023 Police Department budget. 

Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Director and Jeff Katers, Police Chief

The requested outcome of this case is to receive City Council approval, by consensus, to eliminate one vacant part-time CSO position, in exchange for making the other part-time CSO position (held by Ms. Katie McNally) to full-time.  Note, the 2023 part-time request remains.