TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jeremy Paris, Police Chief
DATE:April 29, 2025
SUBJECT: Expenditure Plan for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for FY 2024-25
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the expenditure plan of grant funds pursuant to Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) guidelines, so the City may continue to benefit from grant funds under SLESF to partially offset the contract costs of the following positions:
•One Misdemeanor Detective Deputy (contract costs: $285,180) in A/C #001- 6640-621-5730 (General Fund, Contracted Services – Law Enforcement). •Two Directed Enforcement Team (formerly referred to as Bike Patrol) Deputies (contract costs: $514,983) in A/C #001-6650-621-5730 (General Fund, Contracted Services – Law Enforcement).
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. SLESF grant funds in the amount of $189,394 offset the costs allocated for Deputies’ salaries and benefits by 24 percent, which are included as part of the Ventura County Sheriff Department’s contract costs with the City. The positions are fully budgeted in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget. Minimal staff time required to prepare the report is also included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
Expenditure Plan for SLESF for FY 2024-25
April 29, 2025
6 6
2 BACKGROUND:
Since the late 1990’s, each county or city in the state has been allocated a grant of at least $100,000 as specified by the California Department of Finance for each fiscal year pursuant to California Government Code Section 30061(b). In turn, the County Auditor allocates the funds to each recipient agency (City) pursuant to California Government Code Section 30061(b)(3).
The City of Thousand Oaks Police Department has received SLESF funds since FY 1996-97. These funds are used to partially offset the cost of two Directed Enforcement deputies and one misdemeanor detective deputy who operate within the parameters of the City’s contract with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
Listed below is historical funding, per the Ventura County Auditor-Controller, for the last five fiscal years from the SLESF grant.
Fiscal Year Annual
Allocation Growth Allocation Total
2019-20 $196,348 $111,382 $307,730
2020-21 $192,139 $117,752 $309,891
2021-22 $192,148 $125,417 $317,565
2022-23 $192,431 $165,796 $358,227
2023-24 $191,191 $180,987 $372,178
2024-25 $189,394 TBD TBD
SLESF funds are allocated based on each recipient agency’s population (Annual Allocation), and the City’s population has not experienced major fluctuations over the years. Fluctuations in total allocation are a result of an annual year-end receipt for residual revenue paid from the Enhancing Law Enforcement Activities Growth Special Account (Growth Allocation). The California Department of Finance only provides an estimate for the monthly distributions, not the year-end growth payment. The City’s total allocation for FY 2024-25 is unknown at this time and is based on receipt of the growth allocation in summer/fall 2025.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The Thousand Oaks Police Department has a six-person Directed Enforcement Unit; two of the positions are supplemented by SLESF. The Directed Enforcement Unit was formed in FY 2014-15 by combining the Community Oriented Policing unit Sergeant and Senior Deputy with a Senior Deputy and three Deputies from the Bike Patrol unit. This change was made to improve efficiency and communication between the two units.
Expenditure Plan for SLESF for FY 2024-25
April 29, 2025
6 6
2 A third Detective Deputy, whose salary is supplemented by SLESF funds, enhances the efficiency of the Investigation Bureau by investigating misdemeanor offenses that patrol Deputies are not able to complete. The three positions the SLESF funds partially offset expand the community policing efforts within the City.
California Government Code Section 30061(c)(2) requires City Council to appropriate existing and anticipated monies exclusively for frontline municipal police services in accordance with a written request from the Chief of Police. This staff report, with the request for the municipal police services outlined above, constitutes the required written request. The City’s Finance Department will prepare the annual expenditure report confirming the funding was used for the approved duties set forth in the recommendation. If approved and accepted by the City, the grant funds of approximately $189,394 will be used to offset a portion of the annual salaries for two Directed Enforcement Team Deputies ($514,983), and one Misdemeanor Detective Deputy ($285,180).
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
PREPARED BY: Sabrina Campagna, Administrative Assistant POL: 580-10\G:\ADMIN\City of TO\Council Agenda Items\Staff Reports\04292025 Expenditure Plan for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund FY 24-25.doc