City-county task force updates progress of safety, justice issues

A joint city of Springfield and Greene County task force yesterday issued a four-year progress report on judicial issues facing the area's municipal governments.

At the City-County Planning Task Force meeting held yesterday morning at the Greene County Archives and Elections Center, officials assessed the progress of the Safety & Justice Roundtable Report, first completed in 2009. Yesterday, the task force placed the greatest priority on financing Greene County's general fund and renewing the police-fire pension fund for the city.

The original report centered around seven priorities: the police-fire pension fund shortfall; reducing the jail population; improving the family and juvenile justice system; combining emergency response agency facilities; enhancing data and interagency communication; increasing systemwide staffing levels; and conducting facility expansions.

Priority 1: Police-fire pension
The task force reported the 2009-approved sales tax pushed the plan to 67 percent funded as of July 2013.

However, according to the report, additional funding is needed to cover new officers and firefighters since the self-funding retirement plan has closed.

Springfield voters will decide in April whether to continue the sales tax. Failure to renew the tax would result in a $9 million cut to the city's general fund budget for police, fire and other core services, according to the report.

Priority 2: Reducing jail population
The task force characterized the progress on reducing jail population as insufficient.

During the meeting, City Manager Greg Burris said inmate overpopulation at the county jail continues to be a problem.

He said the average inmate population at the jail in 2013 was 611, up from 545 in 2011, a concern for Greene County Administrator Tim Smith at the time.

"That would be a walk in the park today," Burris said at the meeting.

Priority 3: Improving the family and juvenile justice system
Significant threats remain for the Greene County Juvenile Office, though the task force reported it operates excellent programs.

According to the report, the office is limited by a lack of adequate facilities and the inability to retain staff due to low salaries and funding gaps.

Child abuse and neglect continue to be a top issue in Greene County, and increasing state mandates and cuts in funding pose additional threats, according to the report.

Priority 4: Combining emergency response agency facilities
Goals are being met on the fourth-highest priority, the task force reports.

Greene County was named Developer of the Year during the 2012 Salute to Construction banquet for construction of the $20 million Public Safety Center.

Priority 5: Enhancing data sharing and interagency communication
Though the county is having difficulty supporting additional technology because of budget and staffing constraints, major goals are being met for this priority.

The original report called for a new records management system for the Springfield Police Department and data sharing between the police and Greene County Sheriff's Office.

Priority 6: Increasing systemwide staffing levels
Personnel shortages are a persistent problem for both the city and county.

While the county improved staffing levels, it remains behind in patrol and other areas at the sheriff's office.

And, while the police-fire pension fund at the city got a boost by the November 2009 sales tax vote, competitive compensation needs remain, according to the report.

Priority 7: Expanding facilities
The task force reports an expansion of the county jail to the tune of up to $30 million is necessary.

Also, improving case flow management through the criminal justice system is a continuing concern.