12-16-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Contractual Services Contractual services include those services that the City receives through a contract such as police services, fire services, electric and gas utilities. The transition of election services to Ramsey County are also included in the contractual services budget beginning in 2021. In addition, $22,500 is included in contractual services for a planning code update that was approved on October 14th with the services to be performed in 2021. Since the funding is existing fund balance, this amount is not included in the property tax levy. Police services are provided by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) and demand 43% of the City’s General Fund budget. The RCSD police services contract includes an increase of $71,964 (4.19%) and is the single, largest increase to the 2021 budget. The 2021 contract for all the contract cities includes a total increase in expenditures of $356,210 (3.55%) compared to the 2020 budget. Major cost drivers for the RCSD include the following items: • Personnel costs, including a 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) • Increases for retirement contributions. • Automotive repair increases due to County garage rates; currently $90 per hour. The 2021 budget includes funding for body worn and in-car cameras at the same rate of funding that was included in the 2020 budget. When compared to the other contract cities, Little Canada pays approximately $151.33 per capita. Based on 2021 Net Contract (Expenses less revenue) when compared to 2019 Met Council population estimate. The City of Little Canada pays a higher amount per capita for police services when compared to the several other cities in the Ramsey County Sheriff’s police services contract. The annual contract fees are heavily weighted to reflect calls for service, resulting in a higher cost per capita than many of the other contract cities. Based on discussion at the preliminary budget workshop, it was recommended that staff continue to analyze the contract and consider ways to reduce the cost for police services in the future. 9