cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Martin S. Lyons, Chief Financial Officer
DATE: February 22, 2021
SUBJECT:
Resolution ratifying payments in the amount of $92,680.00 and approving payments estimated costs of $158,880.00 to Richland Community College, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2021.
PURPOSE:
Approval of payments required to send police recruits through the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, a partnership with Richmond Community College and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. This includes wearables (uniforms/PT Set), OC Spray training, classroom/online training, lodging, and meals.
BACKGROUND:
Prior to 2020, the State of Illinois would reimburse the police officer academy training from state funds. In January 2020, cities across Illinois were informed training would have to be paid for by the cities. This was a shock to us and many others across the state. The City had typically paid $330 per recruit, which covered the wearables and OC spray, while the State covered the remaining balance.
In 2021, the costs per recruit, including room and board, clothing, and OC training are approximately $6,620.00
DISCUSSION:
The primary purpose of the police academy is to prepare new officers for a career in law enforcement. The Academy provides training for Cadets (future ISP officers) and Recruits (future local law enforcement officers). Cadet Classes run 26 weeks. Since the current facility opened its doors in 1968, the Academy has trained more than 7,000 Cadets. Recruit basic training began at the Academy in October 1976. Since then, the Academy provided instruction for 25 258-hour Recruit basic training classes. Today, Recruit basic training is a 560-hour (14 weeks) comprehensive training course. More than 5,000 Recruits have graduated from the Academy and are pursuing their police careers throughout the state.
Ratification is requested for the first recruit academy of 2021 in the total amount of $92,680.00. Fourteen recruits are in the first session January 10, 2021 thru April 16, 2021.
Approval is requested for the remainder of 2021 for which includes three sessions and the anticipated number of recruits:
4 recruits in session beginning March 22, 2021
10 recruits in the session beginning July 6, 2021
10 recruits in the session beginning August 10, 2021
The total for the 24 recruits for the remaining 2021 calendar is $158,880.00
The State of Illinois provided funding for this training, but that funding has been cut and is not anticipated to be restored given the Governor's Proposed 2021-22 budget. $24,000 was budgeted for 2021 in 101-3536-421.42-48 Travel & Profess/ Educ/ Trn- Police New/Basic. A budget amendment would need to be completed for the remaining $227,560.00. Funding will come from General Fund Reserves/fund balance. With no change in the State's Budget for next year, this line item will need to be funded within the City's annual budget.
Under separate communication to the City Council, the Police Department and City Administration will be recommending the initiation of the use of lateral hires from other departments that will reduce the number of above training sessions needed and reduce the total overtime in the Police Budget. Unfortunately, when hiring laterally, officers from other departments may be at a higher salary with more vacation or other seniority related benefits and therefore to make this process work departments such as Naperville are offering to let employees start at a higher step, or other departments are offering a bonus to hire such officers. Assuming that 10 officers could be hired via a lateral process the above bonus if set at $20,000 would be funded by a $70,000 savings in the above training and a $130,000 savings from overtime for a net no change to the payroll budget for 2021, assuming the approval of the above new training budget. As a protective measure the signing bonus will paid up front, but will have a "claw back" provision wherein an officer who leaves before the reach step 1 in the union pay scale will need to pay 50% of the bonus back, and an officer that has reached step 2 will not need to pay any amount back if they separate from the City after that date.
In summary the above activity will require a budget amendment, which will be included in a council review with other 2021 amendments, $157,560.00 ($227,560 - $70,000.00) to the police training budget 101-3536-421.42-48.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
If the academy training costs are not approved, we will not be able to replace any of the officers retiring.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Authorization of the ratification and approval of recruit training expense for a total amount of $251,560.00 and a budget amendment of $157,560,00 to account 101-3536-421.42-48 for the calendar year 2021.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution ratifying payment in the amount of $92,680.00 and approving additional payments of $158,880.00 to Richland Community College, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2021.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has stopped reimbursing the Richland Community College, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for police recruit training; and
WHEREAS, The police academy has been providing training since 1968; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora needs to have new recruits trained at the police academy before they are assigned to the streets of Aurora, IL; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: ratification of payment in the amount of $92,680.00 and approving additional payments of $158,880.00 to Richland Community College, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2021, and authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to execute the necessary orders to complete.