Carefree Truth
Issue #566, May 8, 2017
Gary Neiss reported that 9 communities contract with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) for police protection, based on the needs of their individual communities. Queen Creek (the largest), population 40,000, contracts for 5 beats. Carefree, population 4,000, contracts for 1/3 of a beat. The typical staffing of a beat is 5 Deputies, .5 Detectives, .14 Clerical. General District staffing is 1 Sergeant/9 Deputies, 1 Lieutenant/18 Deputies, and 1 Captain/30 Deputies. Contracted service costs are based on cost recovery for district personnel (88%), dispatch (5%), vehicle cost (4%), technology (2%) and supplies (1%). A full beat costs approximately $1,000,000.
Carefree's contract is for 3 years, reviewed annually, with costs updated each year, and is the typical contract for MCSO's services. Carefree has an add-on service, on top of the normal public safety patrol, for one traffic code violation enforcement car. Recalibrating this add-on service was discussed with MCSO to focus on October-March, the peak traffic months. During the off peak months, as in the past, existing Deputies servicing Carefree can enforce traffic violations. The service level can be readjusted if warranted, but the new level of service saves the Town $72,000 a year.
The contract has been reviewed by both entities and their respective attorneys. The cost for services for the fiscal year 2017/18 is $336,000. The MCSO staff present at the Council meeting were Deputy Chief Dave Toporek, Deputy Chief Kip Rustenburg (former District 4 Captain, recently promoted and transferred), Division Commander of Business Services Suzanne Baier, and Lieutenants Todd Hoggatt and Ryan Baranyos. Mr. Neiss congratulated Deputy Chief Rustenburg on her promotion. She was given a standing ovation.
Mayor Les Peterson said that in the opinion of the MCSO people present, the proposal was reasonable to insure the safety of Carefree citizens. Deputy Chief Toporek stated he felt confident that, with the MCSO staff and the Town personnel, there were no red flags raised by this agreement.
Vice Mayor John Crane asked if the 3 year contract automatically renews. Mr. Neiss confirmed that it does, and that the 3 year renewal point is an optimal time to review it. The Vice Mayor asked if the services of the Posse are included in this contract. Mr. Neiss replied that the Posse services are separate. Councilman Jim Van Allen questioned pension payments, which Mr. Neiss said are included as part of the fee for personnel.
Mayor Peterson thanked MCSO for their wonderful service to the Town of Carefree. The Town appreciates it and enjoys working with the Sheriff's Department. The Council unanimously approved the contract.
https://vimeo.com/216012158
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #566, May 8, 2017
Gary Neiss reported that 9 communities contract with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) for police protection, based on the needs of their individual communities. Queen Creek (the largest), population 40,000, contracts for 5 beats. Carefree, population 4,000, contracts for 1/3 of a beat. The typical staffing of a beat is 5 Deputies, .5 Detectives, .14 Clerical. General District staffing is 1 Sergeant/9 Deputies, 1 Lieutenant/18 Deputies, and 1 Captain/30 Deputies. Contracted service costs are based on cost recovery for district personnel (88%), dispatch (5%), vehicle cost (4%), technology (2%) and supplies (1%). A full beat costs approximately $1,000,000.
Carefree's contract is for 3 years, reviewed annually, with costs updated each year, and is the typical contract for MCSO's services. Carefree has an add-on service, on top of the normal public safety patrol, for one traffic code violation enforcement car. Recalibrating this add-on service was discussed with MCSO to focus on October-March, the peak traffic months. During the off peak months, as in the past, existing Deputies servicing Carefree can enforce traffic violations. The service level can be readjusted if warranted, but the new level of service saves the Town $72,000 a year.
The contract has been reviewed by both entities and their respective attorneys. The cost for services for the fiscal year 2017/18 is $336,000. The MCSO staff present at the Council meeting were Deputy Chief Dave Toporek, Deputy Chief Kip Rustenburg (former District 4 Captain, recently promoted and transferred), Division Commander of Business Services Suzanne Baier, and Lieutenants Todd Hoggatt and Ryan Baranyos. Mr. Neiss congratulated Deputy Chief Rustenburg on her promotion. She was given a standing ovation.
Mayor Les Peterson said that in the opinion of the MCSO people present, the proposal was reasonable to insure the safety of Carefree citizens. Deputy Chief Toporek stated he felt confident that, with the MCSO staff and the Town personnel, there were no red flags raised by this agreement.
Vice Mayor John Crane asked if the 3 year contract automatically renews. Mr. Neiss confirmed that it does, and that the 3 year renewal point is an optimal time to review it. The Vice Mayor asked if the services of the Posse are included in this contract. Mr. Neiss replied that the Posse services are separate. Councilman Jim Van Allen questioned pension payments, which Mr. Neiss said are included as part of the fee for personnel.
Mayor Peterson thanked MCSO for their wonderful service to the Town of Carefree. The Town appreciates it and enjoys working with the Sheriff's Department. The Council unanimously approved the contract.
https://vimeo.com/216012158
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.