HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 16665-10-2005Ordinance No ~~~~~c~~
AN ORDINANCE fNCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN
THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $184 016 FROM INCREASED REVENUES
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING ADDITIONAL AUTO POUND STAFF FOR THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH TEXAS
SECTION 1
That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 there
shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of $184 016
from increased revenues for the purpose of funding additional Auto Pound staff for the Police Department.
SECTION 2.
That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid inoperative or void
for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction such decision opinion or judgment shall in no way
impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this ordinance, which said remaining
provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3
That this ordinance shall be incorporated into the ordinance of the municipal government of the City of Fort
Worth for the ensuing Fiscal Year beginning October 1 2005 and ending September 30 2006 and all other
ordinances and appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this
ordinance are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said
conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed
SECTION 4
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption
AP ROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
1
s§istant City Attorney
.ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE. o~Lv~~
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
SUBJECT
Adopt Ordinance Amending Article V Wreckers Chapter 34 Vehicles for Hire of the City Code and
Adopt Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance to Fund Additional Positions at the Auto Pound and
the Property Room of the Police Department
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council
1 Adopt the attached ordinance amending Section 34-188 of the City Code to include notification fees for
vehicle impoundments as allowed under state law and
2. Adopt the attached supplemental appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts by $184 016
and increasing the FY2006 General Fund appropriations by the same amount in order to hire additional
staff for the Police Department Auto Pound and Property Room
DISCUSSION
In 1997 (M8~C G-11823) the City Council adopted Ordinance No 12924 that amended Article V Wreckers
of Chapter 34 of the Code of the City of Fort Worth to increase impoundment and storage fees in Fort Worth
to the maximum allowable under State law On September 1 2005 changes in State law resulted in fee
increases at the City of Fort Worth Auto Pound The storage fee increased from $15 to $20 per day for
smaller vehicles and $30 to $35 per day for larger vehicles. The estimated increase in revenue is $163 966
for this fee change alone
The 1997 ordinance did not specifically address notification fees and the rates were set by the Police
Department. This fee is collected for the certified letters and/or advertising required under State law to notify
vehicle owners of impoundments. Currently the fees are set at $15 per letter for a maximum of two letters.
Most impoundments result in two letters due to lien holders, incorrect addresses new owners, etc. Staff
recommends adding this fee to the City Code establishing the rates at the maximum allowed under State
law similar to the storage and towing fees. On September 1 2005 this maximum rate allowable under
State law increased from $32 to $50 per impoundment. This change will allow the City to recover costs
including staff time postage, and advertising costs associated with this activity The anticipated increase in
revenue is more than $68 800 depending on actual collection rates
The impoundment volume has increased by nearly 30% over the past seven years without additional staff
All of these changes combined with the changes in the wrecker contracts over the last several years have
significantly increased the workload at the Auto Pound Support services in the property room with the
growing population and volume of officers is also suffering As a result, staff recommends the addition of
four property control positions (two for the Auto Pound and two for the Property Room) and one contract
Logname 35NOTIFICATION Page 1 of 2
compliance specialist/wrecker administrator as overages in the FY2006 operating budget. The full-year cost
of $184 016 is offset by the net increase in revenue projections and they will be legitimized as permanent
positions in the FY2007 budget.
The balance of the increased revenue will be used to offset revenue losses from storage and towing
because of new limitations under State law for the assessment of costs to vehicle owners when they are
towed for evidentiary or examination purposes. It is not anticipated that this change will have a significant
financial impact since most vehicles are towed due to the arrest of the driver abandonment, involvement in
a traffic accident, or being illegally parked in addition to investigative review
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION
The Finance Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and the adoption of the
supplemental appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the FY 2005-06 budget, as appropriated of
the General Fund
TO Fund/Account/Centers
FROM Fund/Account/Centers
GG01 5VARIOUS 0357303 $113.840.00
GG01 5VARIOUS 0357302 $70,176.00
GGO 462614 0357303 $163.966.00
GG01 462664 0357303 $68.800.00
Submitted for City Manager's Office by Joe Paniagua (6140)
Originating Department Head Ralph Mendoza (4210)
Additional Information Contact: Susan Alanis (4221)
Logname 35NOTIFICATION Page 2 of 2