TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Advisory Question Concerning A Bowie Police Department

DATE: March 31, 2005

Public safety has always been a concern in Bowie. Although Bowie remains a relatively safe community, there has been a renewed interest in determining whether the City should establish its own police department. Council reviewed a cost/benefit analysis regarding a local police department on February 14, 2005. Staff has responded to questions raised at the February Worksession with multiple memoranda.

The next issue before Council is to decide whether an Advisory Question (Referendum) should be placed on the November 8, 2005 ballot to gauge voter support for a local department. Section 6-21 of the City Code provides procedural guidance for a ballot question. A copy of that City Code excerpt is attached.

Advisory questions were last on the ballot in the April 2000 election. At that time, voters approved moving City elections to November, and rejected longer Council terms, as well as a municipal pool. In 1996, the ballot contained a Question regarding the establishment of a supplemental police department, which was rejected by a 63% to 37% vote.

If Council decides to move forward with placing the police department question on the ballot, the next step will be for Council to approve the Advisory Question language. Advisory Question language could be an agenda item on June 6th, which is the first Council Meeting following completion of the budget process.

Let me know if you have any questions.

DJD/asf