Translate[Archived] Question # 43: Can you provide a refresh of FY 2020 Budget Question 21?
Question:
Can you provide a refresh of FY 2020 Budget Question 21? Can you provide a staffing overview of Parking Enforcement? How many positions does the proposed budget fund? What revenue assumptions are made at that staffing level? What has been our actual staffing history over the past two years? What overhire authority exists and is proposed for parking enforcement in the proposed budget? Can you provide the NET financial impact for the addition of 1, 2, 5 & 10 parking enforcement positions beyond what is proposed by the City Manager? (Mayor Wilson)
Responses:
1.The Alexandria Police Department (APD) manages an ongoing hiring process that started in 2018. In late FY 2019, with the support of the City Manager Parking Enforcement Officers (PEO I) were elevated to a grade 10 from a grade 8; PEO II was elevated to a grade 12 from a grade 10; Supervisors were elevated to a grade 15 from a grade 13. This contributed to the improved hiring and retention of the Parking Enforcement Officers.
2.The Alexandria Police Department’s Parking Enforcement Unit has an FY 2020 budget for two Parking Enforcement Supervisors and 24 Parking Enforcement Officers. Currently, there is an over hire authority for two Parking Enforcement Officers. There is no proposed change to this for the FY 2021 budget.
3.Through January FY 2020, YTD collections were trending higher compared to the same period last year. Data shows parking enforcement fine revenue was +31% higher compared to the same time last year. This is an adjusted figure reflecting the removal of the vehicle decals. One can attribute this to the increase in Parking Enforcement staffing. The number of citations issued is one factor that has been impacted by the staffing of the unit. However, there are other factors involving fine collection which is outside the responsibility of the Department and its Parking Enforcement Officers. The number of citations issued in February 2020 was up 60% over the lowest point in September 2018. With COVID-19 substantial drop in business in Old Town, it is likely that for the balance of the year that the number of citations issued will drop.
4.Staffing history and fiscal data are
provided in table format on the following pages.The total budgeted and authorized PEO
positions are 24.
5. Budgeted vs. Actual Positions by Fiscal Year
Gains vs. Losses by Calendar Year
6. Fiscal Impact of Additional Positions
During the FY 2019 budget process, five vacant overhire parking enforcement officer (PEO) positions were removed from the budget due to the fact those positions had not been filled. The Police Department is currently authorized to fill 24.0 FTE PEO positions and two overhire PEOs. The cost of parking enforcement activities includes PEO salary & benefits. Parking Enforcement has handheld devices for 30 PEOs. There are no other equipment requirements.
In FY 2019, parking fine citations produced $2.7 million in revenue or an estimated $111,000 per authorized PEO. Based on valid ticket count and average fine for the 8 largest types of violations from FY 2017-2019, each additional PEO is estimated to produce an additional $107,295[1] in parking fine revenue, however as a result of COVID-19, parking fine revenue has been significantly reduced, and the amount collected per PEO will be significantly less for as long as the crisis continues to impact typical travel and movement patterns within the City. Based strictly on averages, the net fiscal impact of one PEO based on $107,295 in revenue is $49,498. However, past experience suggests that adding multiple PEOs would not generate the same multiple of net revenue due to difficulty staffing up to the new FTE level.
Elimination of Windshield Decal Citations
On March 16, 2019, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to eliminate the requirement that vehicle owners display a windshield decal to indicate payment of the personal property tax. Current City decals may be removed, and decals will not be issued for future vehicle registrations or renewals. The Police Department no longer issues tickets for failure to display the City/County Vehicle Tag with violation code 10-4-37.
In February 2019, the last month with the requirement that vehicle owners display a windshield decal, the Police Department issued 276 citations with violation code 10-4-37.
[1] Based on updated FY 2021 revenue projections that take into account COVID-19 pandemic impact, estimated parking fine revenue would be $85,000 per authorized PEO.
On March 16, 2019, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to eliminate the requirement that vehicle owners display a windshield decal to indicate payment of the personal property tax. Current City decals may be removed, and decals will not be issued for future vehicle registrations or renewals. The Police Department no longer issues tickets for failure to display the City/County Vehicle Tag with violation code 10-4-37.
In February 2019, the last month with the requirement that vehicle owners display a windshield decal, the Police Department issued 276 citations with violation code 10-4-37.
For February 2020, the total citations issued were up 23.4% when compared to February 2019. When the total citations are adjusted to account for the elimination of violation code 10-4-37, citations were up 31.0%.