FY2000 Tampa Reports to the People

ENHANCED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
Public concern over traffic enforcement has led to the creation of a second traffic squad. Funded partially via a continuation of the U.S. Department of Justice Universal Hiring grant ($2.2 million), the eleven new officers will serve a dual purpose, making Tampa's roadways safer and assist in other community policing programs.

EXPANDED EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS)
Seven new paramedic positions and equipment were added to staff a twelfth rescue unit. Costing approximately $450,000 annually, this advanced life support (ALS) unit will more equitably allocate EMS workload among the inner-city stations and improve overall medical emergency response times.

POLICE/FIRE RESCUE VEHICLE PROGRAMS
Approximately $4.1 million is budgeted to purchase 138 additional police cars to complete the Police Take Home Program. Another $750 thousand will be spent to acquire two rescue units and two engine pumpers as part of Fire Rescue's vehicle replacement program.

FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION/REPLACEMENT
Approximately $2 million will be spent on new and replacement fire station facilities for FY2000. Station #12 will be relocated to Annie and 29th Street. Station #13, on MacDill and Hillsborough Avenue, will be replaced using state funds due to the widening of Hillsborough Avenue. Last, Station #23 will complete the initial design phase and begin construction in Hunter's Green subdivision.

VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
In FY99, the City began a very ambitious program to upgrade the performance and reliability of its aging General Fund vehicle fleet. Under the Vehicle Replacement Program, approximately one seventh of the General Fund sedan and light truck fleet is scheduled to be replaced each year. The major component of this program is completion of the Police Take Home Vehicle plan by mid-FY2000. The 946 units, 724 marked and 222 unmarked, will be 7 years old or less.

The vehicle replacement program continues for FY2000 and has now been expanded to include the Enterprise Fund departments' sedans and light trucks. The first seven year cycle, to be completed by FY2005, will provide the City with a more modern reliable fleet of sedans and light trucks, that have been placed on a regular replacement cycle.

DID YOU KNOW?

All property taxes collected by the City do not even pay for just the Police Department's budget. In fact, it will cover just 80% of the Police Department's $96 million budget. Other revenue sources such as utility and sales taxes, franchise fees, and various license fees help make up the difference as well as provide for other public safety services.

PUBLIC SAFETY