STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Government Performance & Financial Management
AGENDA DATE: September 20, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: Budget and Management Services
EXECUTIVE: Jack Ireland
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SUBJECT
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An ordinance amending Sections 2-38, 2-39, and 2-53 of Chapter 2, “Administration”; amending Sections 9B-6 and 9B-7 of Chapter 9B, “Building Security”; amending Sections 13-7, 13-8, 13-9,13-10, and 13-11 of Chapter 13, “Courts, Fines and Imprisonments”; amending Section 28-130, 28-130.7, and 28-130.12 of Chapter 28, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” of the Dallas City Code; adding new Sections 2-175, 2-176, and 2-177 to Chapter 2, “Administration”; (1) assigning historic preservation duties to the Department of Planning and Urban Design; (2) creating the Office of the City Marshal; (3) renaming the Department of Court and Detention Services the Department of Dallas Municipal Court; (4) providing a saving clause; (5) providing a severability clause; and (6) providing an effective date - Financing: No cost consideration to the City.
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BACKGROUND
During FY 2022-23, the City Manager’s Office reviewed the Department of Court and Detention Services and analyzed its various business units and service delivery processes. During this review, it was determined that the current structure whereby the City Marshal reports to the Department of Court and Detention Services stems from the historical need for a law enforcement agency to serve municipal warrants. Over time, the role of the City Marshal has expanded beyond warrant service to include managing the City Detention Center; managing the City Sobering Center; providing support and enforcement at Park & Recreation facilities, illegal dumping, and homelessness encampment resolution; managing the School Crossing Guard Program; and managing the Lew Sterrett Jail contract. This organizational change will result in the creation of the Office of the City Marshal and reassign the following services to the new office: City Detention Center, City Marshal’s Office, Lew Sterrett Jail Contract, Security Services, School Crossing Guard Program, Sobering Center, Marshal’s Park Enforcement, and Environmental Crimes.
This change will also result in a name change of the Department of Court and Detention Services to Dallas Municipal Court to more accurately reflect the remaining services of Municipal Court Services and Parking Adjudication Office.
Additionally, the historic preservation duties in the Office of Management Services will be assigned to the Department of Planning and Urban Design. This change will move services related to historic districts (including administering tax incentive programs), historic structures, Landmark Designation, and Certificates of Appropriateness. This allows direct oversight of functions and strengthens accountability.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The City Council was briefed on the “City Manager’s Proposed Budget” on August 8, 2023.
On September 6, 2023, the City Council discussed budget amendments and passed a budget ordinance on the first reading by Resolution No. 23-1195.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.