Agenda Date: 10/1/2019
Subject:
Title
Resolution 47-2019: Supporting the Safer Arapahoe County Public Safety ballot initiative
Body
Prepared By:
Samma Fox, Assistant to the City Manager and
Doug Stephens, Police Chief
PURPOSE:
Arapahoe County requests support for their Safer Arapahoe County Public Safety ballot initiative.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): N/A
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
Measure 1A asks Arapahoe County voters for a property tax increase (3.4 mills, approximately $5.66 per month for the average homeowner per Arapahoe County materials), to raise $46 million per year to build and operate a new county jail as well as programs specifically addressing mental health, addiction, job training, etc. Sunset occurs when the bonds to build the facility are paid off, at which time Arapahoe County will reduce 1.1 mills from property tax.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
None
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
Littleton Police Department does not see any disadvantages to building the new facility. While no one knows for certain, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the sheriff will need to limit jail bed space, should the ballot issue not pass. This can lead to the need to reduce inmate population and restrict access to some new arrestees.
Jefferson County (Jeffco) is experiencing a similar issue with proposed budget cuts. Sheriff Shrader advised a group of chiefs recently that the Jeffco Jail will need to limit inmate population due to budget issues; translating to the jail not accepting any new inmates who are arrested for any crimes below a class 3 felony. All agree that approach poses a significant public safety threat to the community. Jeffco also has a ballot initiative for November that will address this issue if passed.
While the Arapahoe County Jail situation isn't exactly the same as Jeffco, it does show how limiting jail capacity can have a negative effect on public safety. This is the primary reason we support the new jail.
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