TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the City of North Port, Florida and the North Port Police Department for Employee Participation in the Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Force Unit.
Recommended Action
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the City of North Port, Florida and the North Port Police Department for Employee Participation in the Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Force Unit.
Background Information
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) operates the Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Force (SURF) Unit, which is called upon to respond to and take appropriate action for underwater emergencies, body recovery, underwater crime scenes and other underwater incidents. North Port Police Department (NPPD) officers that possess the requisite training would like to participate in the execution of the duties of the SURF Unit. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents the understanding between the Parties.
The SURF Unit requires the participation of highly trained underwater law enforcement specialists. The Parties agree that SCSO will provide uniforms for the selected NPPD employees, pay for public safety diver school, and pay for the required advanced open water certification. NPPD will bear the cost of the NPPD officer’s pay, benefits, equipment, repairs, and training related expenses not covered by SCSO. Upon execution, this MOU will remain in effect until terminated by either party in writing.
The Memorandum of Understanding has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Enhance services and expand availability of resources provided to residents.
Financial Impact
Funding for equipment, repairs, insurance, maintenance and training related expenses not covered by SCSO needed to participate in the SURF Unit is budgeted by the Police Department for fiscal year 2023-2024 as follows:
Account 001-2100-521-40.00 $1,050.00
Account 001-2100-521-46.03 $1,200.00
Account 001-2100-521-52.00 $1,100.00
Account 001-2100-521-52.50 $7,100.00
Account 001-2100-521-54.00 $ 150.00
Account 001-2100-521-55.00 $ 300.00
NPPD will budget funds annually based on the needs and costs at that time.
Procurement
Purchases made will be in accordance with the City of North Port, Florida procurement policy.
Attachments:
1. MOU - Participation in the Sarasota County SURF Unit
Prepared by: Christopher Morales, Deputy Chief of Police
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police