Civic Minute: What’s happening at Citrus Heights City Hall?

Sentinel staff–
Citrus Heights City Council members will meet Thursday evening, May 23, to discuss school safety options and approve several financial reports.

The council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. A summary of what’s on the agenda is listed below.

School Safety Options. At a council meeting last month, two members of the City Council requested staff to explore funding options to place school resource officers at two high schools in Citrus Heights. City staff are recommending that the council provide direction on additional school safety measures for the local high schools.

• Option 1: Hire and fund two additional full-time School Resource Officers. Fiscal impact: The cost of two additional police officers would be an estimated $185,000 per officer annually for a total of $370,000 annually, according to an August 2023 feasibility study presented by the Citrus Heights Police Department.
• Option 2: Reassign two existing sworn positions from other programs as determined by the City Manager and Police Chief to School Resource Officers.
• Option 3: Utilize the Police Department’s current traffic unit to create a school liaison program to provide enhanced traffic enforcement and life safety, including perimeter security, at Citrus Heights schools.
• Option 4: Continue coordination with the San Juan Unified Safe Schools program.

A staff report says there would be no fiscal impact if the council decides to move forward with options 2, 3, or 4.

Financial reports. The City Council will receive and file the following during the May 23 council meeting: Audited Financial Statements and Compliance Report for Transportation Development Act funds; Single Audit Report for the 2022/2023 fiscal year; Quarterly Treasury Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2024; and an annual report of the Military Equipment Policy.

Military Equipment Policy. The City Council will also have the opportunity to renew the Military Equipment Policy for the Citrus Heights Police Department. An annual community engagement meeting was previously held where police invited public feedback on military equipment and use.

Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on May 23, 2024, at City Hall, or by submitting a written comment beforehand using the city’s website. The deadline to submit comments online is 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. See the full agenda packet online: click here.