2014-09-04 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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 The vehicle subsidy policy is written very clear. It governs personal vehicles with criteria by rank for patrolman or higher on all vehicles, marked or unmarked, and detailed mileage logs are kept to report mileage at the beginning of the shift and at the end of the shift.  Personal vehicle logs are reviewed weekly on Saturday and checked against the odometers. The blue and whites are checked monthly. Ms. Maddox noted that for overtime, it is a contract item. Chief Kubojiri made it very clear that all it takes is a single natural disaster to consume the entire annual overtime budget and with Tropical Strom Iselle, it’s already blown for the year. Ms. Maddox noted the following in terms of Energy:  Photovoltaic systems are being installed on as many of the facilities as can be structurally retrofitted; it’s part of an overall plan.  Vehicle fuel consumption is monitored. They’ve tried unsuccessfully to actually increase the miles per gallon ratio on the reimbursement just because vehicles are much more fuel efficient than in the past. It is a contract issue and they’ve not been successful up to this point.  Prisoner transport from one side of the island requires marked cars to be used and that is an additional cost; they are looking for ways to better coordinate transports. Ms. Maddox said the Police Department has their own Finance and Human Resources sections that work very closely with State or County Finance and Human Resources offices. Ms. Maddox reported the following on Information Technology:  The Police Department has their own IT staff.  Looking for funding to secure Toughbooks laptops for all patrol officers; they are much stronger and studier. They are looking to purchase 300 laptops in increments over three years. The laptops are not scheduled to be web based but will allow the officers to complete reports in the field rather than going to the stations.  The department did look at PDAs but the judiciary does not use PDAs so there was a connectivity issue. They are working closely with the judiciary to cut down on duplication and allow communication.  Within law enforcement, the department does have five independent data systems that do not currently connect; they are trying to work towards an integrated system. They want to be very careful in terms of where they invest the money.  Currently receiving proposals for a new records management system that will tie in to the dispatch system. 20