Signed into law on March 11, 2021, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) provides $350 billion in additional funding for state and local governments. The local funding portion is approximately $130 billion, equally divided between cities and counties. Independence will receive the funds in two tranches – the first after the US Treasury certifies the proceeds to each jurisdiction and the second one year later. Independence is expected to receive a total of $20.3M and received it's first tranche of $10,742,962 on July 1, 2021.  

The City Council approved a spending plan on June 21, 2021 and amended the spending plan on September 20th, 2021. If approved, this item would further amend the plan by reducing funding for the City hall security and citizen interaction improvements project and reallocating $193,769 to the Fire Department and $156,311.70 to the Police Department for one-time equipment purchases that were previously unable to be completed do to revenue shortfalls.

The City Council gave approval to the spending plan recommended by the City Manager on June 21st, 2021. This plan allocated the City's allotted $20.3 million based on the City Council's strategic priorities outlined in Independence for All. During this time, City management was also working closely with leadership from the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 1 (FOP), to address the current recruiting and retention crisis facing the Police Department. This process resulted in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Independence and the FOP to provide a one-time monetary contribution of $8,000 per person to existing sworn personnel who are members of the FOP as well as a one-time signing incentive to new recruits to the Independence Police Department. The total fiscal impact of these two incentive programs is $1,790,000. This program was adopted by the City Council as part of an amendment to the ARP spending plan at the September 20th, 2021 meeting.

Understanding that the City Council wishes to further address their priority of public safety by utilizing the one-time resources made available through the American Rescue Plan, Mayor Weir, along with Councilmembers Perkins and Hobart, requested that the City Manager develop a recommendation for consideration to identify key priorities for the Police and Fire Department that represent one-time expenditures that will not require ongoing dedicated revenue to support these initiatives. As requested, City staff has also sought an update from the Independence Police Foundation on the status of their fundraising and purchasing efforts. A copy of that correspondence is attached.

For the Police Department, the top one-time equipment purchases are:

1. Sniper Rifles: $33,611.70

2. K-9: $14,000

3. Detention Unit Cameras: $74,720

4. Radio Tower Camera System: $33,980

A memorandum from the Acting Chief of Police is attached with more detail on each item.

For the Fire Department, the top one-time funding priority is the replacement of a current aerial apparatus (Quint) to not only put newer apparatus on the front line, but to also provide a dependable aerial apparatus in 
reserve. In preparation of the purchase this Fiscal Year, the Fire Department had asked for a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to be added to the Public Safety Sales Tax budget in order to augment available funds for the purchase, bringing the budgeted amount to $950,000. Due to high demand, slow builds, and increasing apparatus costs, it was determined that the apparatus was going to come in at $1,168,769, leaving the Fire Department short $218,769. . By prepaying, the City will save an additional $25,000. Moreover, funds from sales of surplus apparatus will help defray costs. A copy of the funding request from the Fire Chief and the associated quote are also attached.