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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - CIPTO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Cristina Beamud, Executive Director DATE: September 12, 2014 SUBJECT: City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel 2014-2015 Addendum and Modification to Budget Request Memo Dated August 6, 2014 RECOMMENDATION It is respectfully requested that the City Commission consider and adopt the attached modified budget proposal in the amount of $744,100 to be presented by the Civilian Investigative Panel at the September 23, 2014 Budget Hearing(s). BACKGROUND On September 9, 2014, the Chair of the Civilian Investigative Panel and the Executive Director proposed a budget of $860,400 to the City Commission. After a discussion, the Commission deferred decision on the budget. Questions were raised about a proposed "buyout," of the Independent Counsel's contract and salary increases. This memo is designed to explain the nature of the expenditures and specifically, address questions asked about salaries. POSITIONS AND SALARIES During Fiscal Year 2013-2014, the Civilian Investigative Panel was budgeted for six positions, for a total of $325,800 in salary and wages. They are the following: Executive Director (1) Investigator II (1) Investigator (2) Administrative Aide II Administrative Clerk 1 The only positions currently filled at the C.I.P. are the following: Executive Director Investigator II Administrative Aide II $125,000 $ 51,257 $ 40,000 (An attorney with many years experience) (A former police office, rank of Lt., with an Master in Public Administration.) (An experienced Admin Aid with a background in Human Resources.) A conditional offer of employment has been made for a position of Civilian Investigator Analyst. If this position is filled, and we are optimistic that it will be, the cost of this salary will be $51,228. In order to control the salary costs, we will eliminate the position of Administrative Clerk and not fill the remaining vacant Investigator position. This adjustment will realize approximately $11,700 in salary savings and corresponding savings in FICA, retirement, etc. INDEPENDENT COUNSEL The original budget proposal for the CIP included $243,500 for Other Contractual Services. The CIP is now proposing $148,500 for Other Contractual Services. This proposal includes payment of the contract currently held by Mr. Charles C. Mays ($133,000.), his professional liability insurance ($6,700.), the costs of a photocopier, office janitorial services, and Lexis Nexis. Please note that in light of opposition from certain members of the City Commission, the Panel is no longer seeking any payment for a "buy-out" for Mr. Mays, other than the contractual obligation that currently exists. This represents an $8,800 savings over Fiscal Year 2013-2014. OTHER CURRENT CHARGES AND OBLIGATIONS The original proposal and this current proposal includes a significant increase in this line of expenses. This money will be used to pay a transcriptionist to prepare minutes of the numerous meetings that are necessary to comply with the C.I.P.'s implementing ordinance. This is a far wiser and more economical use of money and staff time and will help to keep wages and salaries at a minimal level. TRAVEL AND PER DIEM The current (September 12, 2014) and former (September 9, 2014) proposal includes $19,400 for travel and per diem. This represents the cost of travel and training for current staff, new staff, and five new panel members. The C.I.P.'s implementing ordinance requires that new panel members be trained by either attending a Citizens Police Academy or the annual National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) conference. The NACOLE conference is considered the premier training event of the year for law enforcement oversight. This training cost cannot be further reduced this year especially since so many panel members are new to the C.I.P. However, it is anticipated that it will be reduced in future years as we do not expect new appointments to panel in the immediate future and existing panel members attending the conference will be fewer and rotated. 2 CONCLUSION This new proposal, which includes the elimination of one position, represents a $31,300 reduction from the original proposal and does not include the original request of $85,000 allocated for a "buy-out" of the Independent Counsel's contract. END 3