Approved 4/14/05  

LAW ENFORCEMENT

March 10, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:         Debbie DeLeon, Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Marc Thomas, Randy Schafer, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen and Jerry Ambrose

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 6:06 p.m. in the Personnel

Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the February 24, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 24 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Controller’s Office – Long Term Objective:  Alternative Law Enforcement Funding

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Sheriff’s Office awards banquet is this evening.  The Office will be happy to attend a future meeting to address this topic if that is the wish of this Committee. 

Mr. Neilsen reviewed the information contained in the “Exploring Alternative Law Enforcement Funding” material which was included in the agenda packet.  This material contained information on how police services are currently provided and funded throughout the County.  It attempts to identify discrepancies in the amounts paid for these services and identifies some alternate funding models.

The Ingham County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Division provides primary law enforcement and paramedic services to 33,401 residents in 13 townships.  This equates to approximately 12% of the County’s population of 279,320.  The net cost of providing basic police services to the residents is approximately $4.5 million. 

Mr. Neilsen explained the County budget is funded through a Countywide collection of property taxes and other sources.  The $4.5 million net cost is equivalent to a levy of .7429 mills of property tax.  On a Countywide basis, the current per capita cost is $16.27.  The current levy generates $780,064, or $3,765,525 less than the estimated cost of providing the service.  To levy the additional amount would require an additional tax levy of 3.5861 mills.  This additional levy would increase the per capita cost to $112.74. 

Mr. Neilsen reviewed the information contained in the “Net County Cost for Providing Basic Police Services – 2004 Adopted Budget – Attachment A”; “Summary:  Total Cost and Millage Equivalent of Police Services – Attachment B”; Total Cost and Millage Equivalent of Police Services – Attachment C.”   This information was included in the agenda packet.

The Committee held a general discussion regarding this information.  Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that tonight’s presentation is a mathematic exercise.  Board Chairperson Grebner stated the provision of law enforcement services is such a huge issue that it will be several years before any substantial changes are made.  The County should set standards for services provided by the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office. 

The Committee discussed the possibilities of forming a subcommittee or of holding special meetings to address this issue. 

2.         Community Corrections Advisory Board – Alternative Sentencing and Programming

This presentation will be presented during the Judiciary Committee meeting immediately following this meeting.  Law Enforcement Committee members are invited to attend this presentation which will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff