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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10972 City Clerk's Office Item # R3 Background Paper for Proposed Ordinance COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 23, 2025 TO: President Mark Aliff and Members of City Council CC: Mayor Heather Graham VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk FROM: Chris Noeller, Chief of Police Marisa Pacheco, Director of Human Resources SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 STAFFING ORDINANCE BY ADDING FIVE (5) FULL-TIME POSITIONS TO THE AUTHORIZED STAFFING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Police Department requests the addition of five full-time, civilian Community Service Officer positions, to enhance the operational efficiency of the department. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On December 9, 2024, Ordinance No.10852 was approved by City Council. This Ordinance provided authorized staffing for Fiscal Year 2025. BACKGROUND: The Pueblo Police Department, like most agencies across the country, has and , continues to struggle with hiring sworn Police Patrol Officers. As of May 282025 the department had 42 vacancies, with 20 officers out on injuries and various forms of leave giving us a working manpower of 145 officers. In 2024, with very similar numbers, our department handled over 151,000 calls for service. To free up sworn officers to handle more urgent calls for service and to provide better customer service to our community the Police Department is requesting to freeze five (5) vacant Police Patrol Officer positions and divert the salary savings for those positions to fund five additional Community Service Officers (CSOs). These civilian positions have been far easier to attract and hire strong talent to perform critical duties in support of the Police Department mission. Community Service Officers conduct investigations related to the following: cold burglaries, criminal mischief, property damage, graffiti, frauds & forgeries, littering, missing people & runaways, CPTED Inspections, supplemental reports to include retrieving video and other evidence that is not available when officers take initial reports, theft reports, and traffic hazards. The Community Service Officers taking these calls will allow officers more time to be proactive and respond to other, higher priority calls for service. While not a long-term solution to our issues this is one way for us to address our extreme call load and manpower situation and will allow the department to provide better customer service to our community and improve call response times. The five (5) additional positions will join the current six (6) Community Service Officers already in service to the community in this capacity. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The cost of the additional positions for an entire year and the estimated remainder of the year once hires are accomplished is outlined below. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not Applicable. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: None. ALTERNATIVES: The no action alternative would be to retain staffing levels as they are, which is not operationally desirable, especially given the shortage of staffing of certified peace officers. RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Ordinance. ATTACHMENTS: None ORDINANCE NO.10972 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 STAFFING ORDINANCE BY ADDING FIVE (5) FULL-TIME POSITIONS TO THE AUTHORIZED STAFFING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, it is necessary to revise the positions for the ultimate efficiency and functionality for the City of Pueblo Police Department; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. Ordinance, are amended as follows: SECTION 2. The officers and staff of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with the intent of this Ordinance to effectuate and transactions described therein. SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall be deemed to amend the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and staffing with respect to the number and allocation of positions within the Police Department and shall become effective on the date of final action by the Mayor and City Council. Action by City Council: Introduced and initial adoption of Ordinance by City Council on June 09, 2025 . Final adoption of Ordinance by City Council on June 23, 2025. President of City Council Action by the Mayor: Approved on . Disapproved on based on the following objections: Mayor Action by City Council After Disapproval by the Mayor: Council did not act to override the Mayor's veto. Ordinance re-adopted on a vote of , on Council action on failed to override the President of City Council ATTEST City Clerk