HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2607-6596CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, September 28, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
6.Approval of the Acceptance of State of California Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS)
Funds of $211,000 and a Budget Amendment in the Supplemental Law Enforcement
Services Fund for revenue and municipal police service expenses; CEQA status – not a
project.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Police
Meeting Date: September 28, 2026
Report #:2607-6596
TITLE
Approval of the Acceptance of State of California Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS)
Funds of $211,000 and a Budget Amendment in the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services
Fund for revenue and municipal police service expenses; CEQA status – not a project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the acceptance of annual Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) funds
from State of California, totaling $211,000; and
2. Amend the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Appropriation for the Supplemental
Law Enforcement Services (SLES) Fund by (requires 2/3 approval):
a. Increasing the estimate for revenue from the State of California by $211,000;
b. Increasing Police Department expense appropriation for Facilities and
Equipment by $49,000; for Contract Services by $20,000; and for Supplies
and Materials by $142,000.
BACKGROUND
Every year since 1997, the State of California, by statute, allocates designated funds to
counties, which pass funding through to cities, through a Citizens Options for Public Safety
(COPS) program. This ongoing program is apportioned by state statute, and the level of
funding is relative to the population as determined by the California Department of Finance.
This funding is not related to the Federal Government Department of Justice “COPS”
program with the same acronym.
State law provides for four main conditions on the use of the funds as written in California
Government Code sections 30025-30029.12 and 30051-30063: 1) Each recipient (County
and onto the City) is required to deposit the revenue into a separate fund so the funds are
not co-mingled with General Funds (Sec. 30063); 2) the money shall be used for front line
law enforcement services or municipal police services (Sec. 30061(c)(2)); 3) transfer to
other funds is allowed provided it is to facilitate the use according to the code (Sec.
30063); and 4) the funds shall not supplant the city budget but must instead be used to
enhance or expand services (Sec. 30062(a)).
ANALYSIS
1. Further, the Growth Fund portion (distribution B above) was
reported and funded $106,0002. Staff recommends use of this year’s expected COPS funds
in the following manner(s) which are compliant with the law. All expenses below are
estimated.
1 California Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program and Multi-Agency Juvenile Justice Funds
https://www.sco.ca.gov/ard_payrments_cops.html
2 California Citizens Option for Public Safety Growth
The Traffic Division will purchase Mobile LiDAR speed detection devices—commonly known
as radar guns—to replace aging equipment that is no longer reliable or serviceable. These
devices support traffic enforcement and roadway-safety efforts.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Council’s approval is required according to State Government code referenced above. Revenues
and expenses of $211,000 are recommended to be recognized in the SLES Fund. Any ongoing
maintenance costs will be absorbed by the Department budget, with the exception of the
Public Safety AI and Emergency Communications Platform, which will seek continued funding
through budget development. Otherwise, the activities will stop when the SLES funds are spent
in full.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
APPROVED BY: