Drummond: Yorba Linda’s police services contract to increase

Current levels of service and staffing will continue through June 2025 under terms of the first amendment to Yorba Linda’s five-year contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement in the 20-square-mile city.

But the cost to the city will increase $1 million for the fiscal year starting July 1, a 7.37% jump to $14.9 million, according to recent action taken by City Council members. The amendment will be viewed by the county Board of Supervisors next month.

“The main reason for the increase is due to the salary and benefit changes that were approved by the board…subsequent to the beginning of the new five-year agreement on July 1, 2023,” Assistant City Manager Dave Christian reported to council members.

The city’s first five-year pact with the county department was signed in 2012 and renewed in 2018 and 2023. Before the county contract, the Brea Police Department provided service for 42 years. The county previously patrolled the city from incorporation in 1967 to 1970.

The county’s first contract with the city cost $9.8 million for the initial year, including start-up costs, while the final contract with Brea cost the city $11.4 million, according to a city report.

At a contentious nine-hour meeting in 2012, Brea submitted two bids to continue policing the city, one for the then-current level of service at $10.7 million and one cutting two deputies for $10.3 million. A bid from Anaheim was $11.4 million, not including start-up costs.

A 3-2 council vote awarded the contract to the county.

The current level of service includes 43 positions and 13 shared staff. The 43 slots include the captain, five sergeants, three investigators, 28 deputies, three community service officers and one each crime prevention specialist, investigative assistant and office specialist.

The 28 deputies include 23 on patrol, two on motorcycles, two for community support and one school resource officer. Deputy pay ranges from $138,873 to $145,473, not including benefits, post pay, services and supplies and other indirect costs. Overtime cost projection is $783,152.

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Cost for the animal control pact with OC Animal Care will jump 6.2% to $370,849 for the fiscal year beginning July 1. And the city owes $114,727 as part of the city’s $512,000 portion for construction of the regional care facility in Tustin that opened in 2018.

Services include Impounding stray and owner-released animals, rabies control, enforcement of leash and nuisance laws, the barking dog ordinance, animal cruelty investigations, citation issuance, impound fee collection and others. Information: 714-935-6848.

A senior mobility program contract not to exceed $150,000 offers daily transportation for age 60 and over provided by the California Yellow Cab Company through May 31, 2025. A recent expansion involves destinations five miles past city limits. Information: 714-961-7181.

Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.