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to become full-time over the summer. Director Vargo emphasized that the Law Department is <br /> appropriately staffed. <br /> Councilmember Litten asked to what extent the outside counsel is reflected in other budgets <br /> within the professional services. Director Rancatore explained that outside counsel has been <br /> reflected in the utility and finance funds. Councilmember Litten confirmed with Director <br /> Rancatore that these funds are not anticipated to be different than normal. Director Rancatore <br /> explained there are provisions in place if something like the Marine Towers situation was to <br /> occur again in the future. <br /> Councilmember Rader asked where funds for lawsuits live in the budget. Director Rancatore <br /> explained that the general administration budget has provisions for the management of these <br /> expenditures. <br /> Councilmember Bullock confirmed with Director Rancatore the fringe increase in salaries are <br /> due to health care expenses rising and numbers changing as people go on and off health care. <br /> Mayor George explained that every department will have an increase in fringe benefits for <br /> insurance purposes. <br /> Councilmember Baker asked Law Director Vargo if there is any type of tracking system for <br /> contracts. Director Vargo explained that the number of prosecutions is tracked, but the <br /> department does not currently track the number of contracts. Councilmember Baker suggested <br /> that monitoring the contracts may help with scheduling. He also suggested more collaboration <br /> with the law department and other departments to help review the work of outside counsel. <br /> Councilmember Kepple asked about the differences in the annual budgets for professional <br /> services. Mayor George pulled up the 2018 budget and explained that the budget for professional <br /> services has ebbed and flowed substantially throughout the years depending on the <br /> circumstances. Councilmember Kepple asked how a number is chosen for the budget it is <br /> circumstantial. Mayor George explained that the budget is an estimation and is dependent on <br /> what is happening at the time. <br /> Director Vargo explained that the law Department budget is lower than the department's <br /> projected actual 2022 spending. <br /> Lakewood Division of Police Budget <br /> Chief Kaucheck noted that the big story for his department over the last couple of years has been <br /> staffing. The Police Department hired 17 officers in 2021 and another 18 in 2022, a sizable and <br /> unprecedented amount of turnover for the department. There are 7 more officers in process,which <br /> will leave the department fully staffed through 2026. Once the ARPA dollars being used to hire <br /> additional officers expires, the department will achieve its past staffing levels through natural <br /> attrition that occurs from retirements. <br /> Chief Kaucheck spoke about much needed facility upgrades due its high usage and 24/7,365 police <br /> operations. The department is looking to expand the women's locker room, redo the men's locker <br /> 3 <br />