Security Services (Citywide)

Implementation of a citywide Security Services contract. Currently, security services are provided by both contractors and City employees. Approximately $1.1 million in security services is contracted annually, while employee security services cost approximately $2.3 million annually. Contracted services have similar specifications.

Projected Annual Savings: $355,000

Actual Annual Savings: $0
The City-Wide Security Services Action Team looked for cost savings regarding security services within the Parking Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Water Department.

The initial assessment identified 54 positions, which performed security services utilizing 14 vehicles. The estimated savings of approximately $354,000 was based on the salaries (including benefits) of those positions compared to projected contracted hourly rates and did not include overtime or vacancies. (Vehicles were to be provided by the contractor so operating and maintenance costs, plus fuel costs of leased vehicles, were estimated to be equal to City costs to operate vehicles therefore all savings estimates were based on labor only.)  

During the period between the initial savings estimates (late 2007) and the issuance of the Request for Proposal (May 2008) the following changes occurred which resulted in a reduction in potential annual savings: 

• Need to retain two positions to serve as contract monitors.
• Need to retain one position within Parks and Recreation to address parking citations.  
• Need to retain six positions for special events.
• Removal of Water Department Security Services from the proposal due to concerns regarding water supply security at Treatment Plant and Pumping Stations.

These changes resulted in a reduction in the estimated costs savings from approximately $354,000 to approximately $164,000.   

Ten proposals were received and ranked by the Selection Committee in June 2008. The highest ranked proposal showed a projected costs savings of $144,000, and was the only vendor in the top five review committee ratings that projected a costs savings to the City.  The Selection Committee recommended that the City should not award the contact to any vendor due to concerns regarding the retention and sustainability of services by the vendor, not withstanding potential savings were indicated.

Although it was determined that these services would not be performed by an outside vendor, staff is continuing to evaluate these functions to determine if efficiencies may still be gained.