City must spend more for law enforcement

The city of Thousand Oaks will pay an additional $1.145 million this year for law enforcement services it contracts from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

The city council unanimously approved the expenditure last week. The increase comes on top of what the city had already budgeted last June for police services, including $20 million for fiscal year 2005-06 and $20.9 million for 2006-07.

The increase is the result of higher-than-expected contract rates.

Last month, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved new rates due to a jump in salaries, retirement benefits and worker’s compensation.

In addition to the allocated law enforcement costs, the city of Thousand Oaks spends more than $800,000 a year on two staff positions, the purchase and maintenance of police vehicles not included in the county contract, and other equipment, supplies and training.

The additional money will come from two sources: $645,000 from the general fund and $500,000 from vehicle licensing fee revenues.

Even with the additional expenditure, the council recognized that the cost of contracting is less than operating an in-house police department. A law enforcement financial review conducted by the city indicated that it would run the city about $26 million to operate its own police force.

Simi Valley, which has nearly the same population as Thousand Oaks, spends that amount on its own police department.

A 10-year review of the city’s law enforcement costs showed increases every year beginning with a $10.2-million budget for fiscal year 1995-96.

“The business of policing is expensive,” Councilmember Dennis Gillette said. “I feel the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has done an exceptional job of maintaining the identity of personalized police services to this community. We never got lost in a big department.”

City Manager Scott Mitnick was concerned about sources of future funding for law enforcement. Possibilities include increased revenue from the renovation and expansion of The Oaks mall as well as revenues from The Lakes and from the Auto Mall.

The city is looking into the possibility of adding a police beat in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. Mitnick estimated that an additional beat could cost the city $1 million including the addition of 5 to 6 officers and police cars.

A report on the issue will be presented to the council in January.

“There may be a need to enhance police services in the entire

community because of the influx in population,” Mitnick said.

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