AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2020-26, amending the City’s 2019-2020 fiscal year budget to allocate $50,000 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund to augment the city’s Employee Assistance Program by providing wellness resources for employees of the San Marcos Police Department and the San Marcos Fire Department; providing for the adoption of this Ordinance on only one reading as an emergency measure; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: May 5, 2020
Department: Finance
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $50,000
Account Number: 12055230.52230
Funds Available: $134,462.22
Account Name: Seized Assets-Disbursements - Professional Services
Fiscal Note:
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Background Information:
During the past two and a half years, the employees of the City of San Marcos Police Department and the City of San Marcos Fire Department have been exposed to a great deal of work-related trauma including the loss of life and significant critical injuries in the line of duty. Emotional wellness services are a critical part of any employee wellness program and are needed to support the employees of these departments who are on the front lines and experience so much emotional trauma during the course of their careers. The use of seized asset funds (property seized that was used in the commission of a crime) for emotional wellness support is an allowable use of funds through the Asset Forfeiture Program authorized by Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Funding is available in the account to support the $50,000 proposed for the budget amendment. This funding will be used to fund approximately 18 months of a pilot program that could, if successful, be considered for funding as part of the regular process in the future.
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends passing the budget amendment ordinance to appropriate funding for the use of emotional wellness services for SMPD officers and employees.