Internal Memo – Confidential

CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
FOR REVIEW
To:
From:
CC:
Date:
Re:

Gilbert Montaño, Chief Administrative Officer
Tyrell T. Morris, Executive Director, OPCD
Domonique Curry, Chief of Staff, OPCD
Michael “Beau” Tidwell, Chairman, OPCD Board of Commissioners
April 29th, 2020
FOR REVIEW: Cost Saving and Efficiency Recommendations

The OPCD leadership has met over the last couple of days to identify opportunities to increase
efficiency in our operations and those of the agencies we serve. Below you will find several
recommendations that not only help realize some cost savings but also helps our entire public safety
system align with industry best practices. The spreadsheet was difficult for us to apply since we are
outside of the city’s accounting system, but we tried to set it up in a format that makes sense.
Hold vacancies for 120 days
Currently we have 12 vacancies across the agency, all in operations (direct 9-1-1/3-1-1 service).
Traditionally we would hold a summer recruit class, but I am proposing we hold those vacancies
until the fall (120 days or 8 pay periods) to help us realize savings. We would then pass those
savings on to the three public safety agencies to reduce their third quarter payments.
Savings Per Person, Per Pay Period
FTEs Held
Total Savings Per Pay Period
Pay Periods Held
Total Savings
SAVINGS PER AGENCY
NOPD
NOFD
NOEMS

$2,252
12
$27,024
8
$216,192
$151,334
$43,238
$21,620

Consolidated Warrant Processing Center
The City of New Orleans has several law enforcement and court agencies that issue and manage
warrants and entries into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). We estimate there are 20
FTEs dedicated to providing this service. In speaking with other municipalities that have
independent communication centers, there is a practice of consolidated warrant and NCIC
processing for all entities in the jurisdiction. OPCD is a fully recognized independent agency by the
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 FBI and has the ability to provide this consolidated service for the parish. We believe we can
provide this comprehensive service that is efficient with 6 FTEs using our current technology,
certifications and training. The current processing of warrants is inefficient, siloed and has a high
risk of error with large impact to citizens. OPCD would need to execute an MOU with each agency
issuing warrants which is very common in Louisiana and meets FBI requirements. OPCD was
recently audited by the FBI and the results found us in compliance.
Jurisdictions with this current set-up:
City of Richmond, VA
County of Fairfax, VA
Snohomish County, WA
Mobile Technology Support
OPCD has recently deployed our mobile Computer Aided Dispatch system to all City of New
Orleans public safety agencies. Some agencies still have staff dedicated to supporting that mobile
technology and records management systems. As we move critical systems to the cloud, there will
be a reduction in costs to maintain those systems. Since all public safety response technology starts
with our CAD system, we recommend that the management of all field and response technology be
managed by OPCD. This will allow us to ensure the data is flowing as designed between systems, is
properly protected, and allows us to negotiate all contracts for service understanding the entire
ecosystem. OPCD would need to have two FTEs dedicated to mobile technology to support all
public safety agencies.
Expanded Use of 3-1-1
Most city departments have receptionist that provide direct service to citizens and take general calls.
3-1-1 receives many calls looking for basic directory or switchboard information. OPCD could
work with ITI to maintain an active directory of staff and provide contact information to the
citizens. That would lessen the administrative burden on department staff and help relieve
efficiencies and cost savings.
Increases in Revenue
OPCD as a state agency has never received state funding to support operations. We have made a
formal request for 2.5 million dollars in an annual appropriation to support technology
improvement projects and fill the gap for operating dollars. The intent here is to place the agency is
more financially secure position without asking the City of New Orleans for any additional dollars.

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