City of Byron Community Services Committee met Aug. 29.
Here is the agenda provided by the committee:
Alderman Dan Reilly called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
1. ROLL CALL:MEMBERS PRESENT: Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Christy Hanlin, Alderman Dan Reilly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderman Zeke Hobbie
OTHER ALDERMEN PRESENT: Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Amber Dach
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard, Police Chief Todd Murray, Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl, Drew Hogan
2. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
3. POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL – Alderman Reilly and Chief Murray put together a slide show presentation regarding police strength. Major categories of the Police Department budget were shown (Salaries, Health Insurance, Auto Fuel/Auto). Information included what is budgeted for this year, what has been spent so far this year as well as the percent of the budget that the figure represents, and estimated actuals for the year. One category, Equipment, shows a -245%, however, Chief Murray explained that this figure represents a $12,000 check that was voided from last year that now had to be put in this year’s budget. Alderman Dach asked if officers work a lot of overtime, and asked if the budget for overtime is comparable to previous years. Chief Murray said they do work some overtime because they like to have two cars available on Friday and Saturday nights.
Revenue streams for the last eight years were shown. Income not coming from the general fund includes court related fees, tow fees, and school reimbursement. The Police Department does return budget surplus to the city, and monies returned in the past eight years were presented. Alderman Dach asked about 2017, when $600 in salary surplus was returned to the city. This figure was significantly lower than other years. Chief Murray explained that this was when sick time was paid out. Alderman Hanlin explained that the employee handbook was redone in 2016, and the Council made the decision to pay half of sick time accumulated at the time of retirement.
Comparisons to other communities in the surrounding area were presented, as well as the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police. Information included size and population of the jurisdiction, number of staff in place, and starting salaries. Alderman Fulrath noted that Byron pays 10-20% less than the departments listed. Alderman Reilly pointed out that the Illinois State Police, who aggressively recruit officers, offer a starting salary of $57,708.00. They also dropped their minimum education requirements from a Bachelor’s degree to an Associates degree. Alderman Fulrath asked what we pay Sheriff’s Department part time officers (i.e. ByronFest). Chief Murray replied we pay them time and a half of their normal salary for events. Three officers who occasionally work part time, who used to be Byron police officers, make $20/hour. Alderman Reilly pointed out that if we try to compete with other departments as far as salary, it would take quite a hit to the budget. Also included on the table, were crime index figures. 800 is the state average, and Byron has a crime index of 30. Chief Murray added that out of the officers they have recently lost, two have gone to the Sheriff’s Department, one is a detective, and one is a canine handler. Another is now the Dixon School Resource officer, and they recently lost another officer to the State Police. Alderman Dach noted that even though we have lost officers, there is also a great deal of department loyalty, and there are officers that have stayed on the force for decades.
The next slide showed the current structure of the Byron Police Department. The two Sergeants joined the force in 1997, and 2010, two patrol officers joined in 2019, and one joined in 2017.
The slide following showed the current work breakdown of the staff. The Chief works 20% on patrol, and 80% on administration, investigation, computers, phone, insurance, building, vehicles, etc. One Sergeant works on evidence and online training, and the other does scheduling and online training. Both patrol when training new officers. The three patrol officers do patrolling and online training. Chief Murray added that the Sergeants do more patrolling now that the department is short officers. Alderman Dach confirmed that there is a full time Administrative Assistant, and Chief Murray said that she also does payroll for the city. Alderman Dach asked why she wasn’t more involved in assisting with insurance, computers, phones, etc., but Chief Murray explained she does not have time with her department duties. When Judy Gentry left and no one was hired in her place, several staff members took on her duties. The full time admin takes care of the reports to Attorney Krahenbuhl and the States Attorney’s office. She spends two days every other week doing payroll. Alderman Gerdes suggested having someone else take over payroll in order to give her more time to assist with insurance, etc. Alderman Gerdes asked if Caryn would perhaps take over payroll, but Alderman Hanlin didn’t think she was qualified. Alderman Dach asked if another part time admin would help, but Chief Murray feels there is too high of a learning curve. Chief Murray added that he has to do the computers because they are a criminal justice agency, and he needs to make sure that all of the checks and balances are in place. Even though the server is partitioned, all of the city hall staff are on the same server. Since doors have to do with security, he has taken over that task. When new insurance quotes are needed, he also takes care of that. Alderman Dach explained she is trying to think of ways to get some of these other items off of the Chief’s list of duties. Mayor Rickard feels we could accomplish this by looking at the support staff and realigning duties.
The Ideal Force Compliment was shown on the next slide. It consists of a Chief, two Sergeants, four patrol officers, and one school resource officer/patrol officer. Alderman Gerdes asked if it could be included in their contract that they not be allowed to take vacation over ByronFest weekend, but Chief Murray said that he does not grant permission for anyone to take vacation at that time. Alderman Reilly also said that the union contract is expired and currently in re-negotiations. Alderman Fulrath asked which officers are negotiating with the union, and Chief Murray said it was Sergeants Boehle and Brechon. Negotiating for the city are Alderman Isaacs and an attorney from WilliamsMcCarthy. Attorney Krahenbuhl said they were supposed to meet in February or March, but that got pushed out. No meeting is set yet. Patrol officers work 6 to 6 am and pm. Sergeants work 2pm to 2am.
The hiring of two officers would bring the department to ideal capacity. The cost of hiring these officers is on the next slide. A patrol officer with no prior enforcement experience would cost approximately $25,000 to train and equip, plus their starting salary. The time of hire to full integration with the department is 9-12 months. The second officer would be the School Resource Officer, and they would need some experience as a patrol officer. Cost would be approximately $25,000 to train and equip and a starting salary of $42,806.00 under the current contract. Time of hire to full integration with the department is 9-12 months. 75% of this officer’s salary would be recouped from the Byron School District. Alderman Gerdes asked if the two candidates Chief Murray had several weeks ago are still available – Chief Murray said that one is, but one also is looking at several places. It is still uncertain whether the department will temporarily lose an officer due to military deployment. Alderman Dach pointed out that there has been a surplus returned to the city of $20,000 per year. Chief Murray explained this is from the surplus in many accounts put together. He said the budget is $434,000 for regular salaries, and the appropriation is $532,000. Attorney Krahanbuhl said the appropriation is higher in the event our accessed value increases and we collect more tax. It allows us to spend up to that appropriations amount. Alderman Reilly pointed out that an option to generate more revenue would be collecting utility tax. Alderman Fulrath asked about overtime. They are required to work 42 hours a week, and if they want overtime they can pick up Friday or Saturday nights. Right now it is approximately 30 hours every two weeks. If we eliminate overtime, Alderman Fulrath said we could potentially have 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 of the salary of a new officer.
Other facts – The provision of an SRO officer was never in doubt, only who would provide this resource. The hiring of two officers will incur an increase in the budget that is currently not supported. All current Byron patrol officers have three or less years on the force. Surrounding agencies offer a higher starting pay than Byron, and the department loses officers to lateral transfers.
Taxes are close to limits and require a referendum to increase. Council is discussing collecting utility taxes. Chief Murray also discussed charging our video gaming machines at $25 per month per machine. Alderman Hanlin asked if there is a way to designate where the money will be put. Chief Murray gave the example of the Telecom tax, where several city departments receive a percentage of the total collected. Alderman Dach asked for a cost analysis of what the cost would be in total for two new officers, as well as more concrete figures of what the video game registrations and utility taxes could generate. Alderman Reilly said we will have to convince the public if new taxes are implemented. He asked if Alderman Isaacs could produce a cost analysis. Chief Murray estimated the cost of hiring a new officer (with training, salary, insurance, etc.) to be $80,000-$90,000. Alderman Gerdes said she would like to see a two to four year plan of what is expected of the Police Department as far as growth. Chief Murray said that with the turnover in the department, it would be difficult to project. Alderman Gerdes asked if there could be a residency requirement for police officers, in order to get them invested in the community and build department loyalty. Chief Murray said that most officers live in town – only one lives in Winnebago. Attorney Krahenbuhl suggested that more officers would mean more tickets being written and more fines being collected. He suggested hiring officer one immediately, and hiring the second officer to be ready by fall. Training is 14 weeks, and they have to patrol with a training officer for 3-4 months. Alderman Gerdes asked if the school district will still want Byron to provide the SRO next year since they already have one, and Chief Murray said that the school does still want a Byron police officer.
Alderman Reilly said there are two other possible funding/grant sources. They both assist with hiring and training officers. Both are closed at this time for the fiscal year, and it is unknown whether they will re-open. Chief Murray said that when they have tried to apply for grants in the past, the department wasn’t eligible. He added that it can be more of a hindrance than a help.
While there is still a lot of money in Byron, Alderman Hanlin feels that this is changing, and more students are in need. For instance, a food pantry that was recently started is seeing a lot of activity.
Chief Murray said we will be over budget with the hire, but not appropriations. He also needs another car, but those funds are from a different account than the general fund. Alderman Hanlin motioned to hire a police officer immediately, and hire a second officer pending verification of available money and additional funding sources. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Motion passed.
Alderman Reilly will ask the Treasurer for a revenue report, and utility taxes and the hiring of a new police officer will be put on the September 4 Council and committee agendas.
4. Alderman Reilly adjourned the meeting at 6:30 pm.
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