Agenda Item 8CAGENDA ITEM # 8C
MAY 14, 2012
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Gym Memberships for police officers
DATE: May 7, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Michael D. Classey, Chief of Police
BACKGROUND:
The city, having recognized the need for police officers to remain in good physical condition in
order to carry out their duties in the most effective way possible, has been providing a gym
membership at Sportsplex in Neptune Beach for many years. There have recently been some IRS
changes which now require that the officers be taxed on the amount for their membership.
Following review of the tax changes with Human Resources and Finance, staff decided to re-
evaluate how this membership is provided.
The current vendor was selected many years ago based solely on cost. While cost certainly needs
to be a strong consideration, other items should be considered as well such as hours of operation,
equipment, classes etc... Many of the officers do not live close to the facility and as such do not
use it or use it rarely and have, for that reason, been taken off the city paid membership roster.
The gym has limited equipment, much of which is outdated and their hours are not conducive to
many of our officer's schedules.
After careful review, staff believes that providing the individual officer with a stipend to pay for
a gym membership of their choosing would result in a much higher usage rate and better officer
fitness, which were the original goals of the program. The current amount the city pays to the
gym is $8.00 per month. All of the gyms staff checked started at $20 per month and went up over
$40 depending on the package selected.
All three departments mentioned above agree that providing a monthly stipend to the officers'
paycheck would be a much easier way to administer the program and apply the required IRS
taxation. Staff recommends that the individual officer be eligible to receive a monthly payment
in an amount not to exceed $25 for their gym membership. The city payment would only be paid
after verification of the membership and cost and would never exceed the actual cost to the
employee. The city would also require a usage rate of at least 8 times per month. The officer
would be required to provide a usage report from actual gym records, which would be
periodically reviewed in order for them to continue receiving the benefit.
For the past several years, forfeiture funds have been used to pay for this expense. It would be
the intention of the police department to continue with this funding source. Forfeiture funds are
money or other valuables seized by the Police Department, generally from drug cases. Florida
State Statute (F.S.S.) 932.7055 (5) (a) and (b) governs the requirements for expending those
funds and requires approval from the governing body. Specifically, it states that the proceeds
may not be used to meet normal operating expenses of the agency. A few of the permissible uses
would be training, memberships and providing additional equipment.
AGENDA ITEM # 8C
MAY 14, 2012
The current annual budget for this account is $8,000, which is in excess of what would be needed
to fund this expense. There has been no General Fund money allocated for this expense for some
years.
I do certify that these requests comply with the provisions of FSS 932.7055 (5) (b).
BUDGET: Not to exceed $8,000.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the revised policy of providing up to
$25 /month in reimbursements for gym memberships for police officers.
ATTACHMENTS: FSS 932.7005
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER
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