Town seeks to move B.A.S.E. operations in-house
The enforcement of beach and street related activities such as parking and leash regulations may be moved in-house to Town Hall as a noted cost-saving measure for taxpayers.
Since 2002, the Town of Fort Myers Beach has contracted with Central Parking to perform the enforcement services. The B.A.S.E. office is currently located at 1661 Estero Blvd. within Key Estero Shops. B.A.S.E. is an acronym for beach and street enforcement.
Last week, Town Public Works Director Scott Baker pitched three options to the Beach Council during a report at a workshop session. Council is expected to officially vote on either the full in-house or minimum in-house proposals or to keep the current contract concept at its Feb. 2 meeting.
Baker stated the recommended in-house option would maximize beach and street enforcement at a lesser cost than contracting the work out. Town records show that B.A.S.E. revenue has increased the past four years ($390,739.85 in 2011 to 575,586.85 in 2014).
“After looking at numbers, options and procedures, our recommendation is to take it in-house,” Baker said.
A change in services related to work philosophy could be applied as well.
“The way it is situated right now, there are quite a few people in the office than on the road,” said Baker. “Past Councils have asked for more visibility. We are changing schedules around to have them do more on the beach than they have been doing.”
The Town pays Central Parking $318,000 per year for general services for 364 days a year (excludes Christmas) on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. basis. Baker says Central Parking currently has three full-time staff members and the rest is part-time help. In-house operations would reduce those numbers. Town records show there would be two full-time leaders and six part-time staff members if concept is approved.
“Most of the (current Central Parking staff) are retired, and people that are actually patrolling the beach are required to have some law enforcement experience,” Baker said.
“I really like the idea of the increased coverage,” said Vice Mayor Dan Andre. “We can tie it in with education and give (beach patrol officers) informational brochures to hand out to people.”
Baker stated Public Works offices within Town Hall could house most of B.A.S.E. staff.
Due to the present situation, capital equipment for the operations would not be an immediate expenditure. The Town already owns all B.A.S.E. vehicles and most equipment, and it recently paid roughly $120,000 to replace nine pay stations at nine locations (four downtown, two under Matanzas Bridge, one at Palm Avenue beach access, one at Connecticut Street beach access and one at Newton Park) and 72 parking meters.
With those factors, a large savings could take place, according to Town records.
“We could be saving $250,000 plus a year,” said Baker, referring to the recommended in-house and minimum in-house proposals.
If Council approves to go with one of the proposals, the Town may terminate Central Parking’s agreement without cause with 30 days notice. The Town is also not obligated to pay the lease location of the current provider.
Recently, Town officials approved the expansion of parking meter hours in the downtown zoning district. Additional revenue from that venture will require more staff (minimal in-house) to regulate the evening hours that were not enforced in the past. Operating hours of B.A.S.E. would be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with fluctuation of hours if needed.
Mayor Anita Cereceda expressed worry about hitting the short ceiling threshold within a small government by taking in a business that has been contracted out for many years.
Town Administrative Services Director Maureen Rischitelli stated the dollar return on investment is worth it.
“The key factor is we are going back to the one-stop component,” she said. “You can delegate, but you can never advocate responsibility. It gives you the flexibility to utilize staff. They are not just B.A.S.E., they are Town employees. We are getting into the philosophy that we need to do what we need to do. As a team, this component brings that in.”
The scope of services for B.A.S.E. includes assisting with the parking program; install and maintain parking meters; collect, count and deposit parking program revenue; issue parking violations; provide towing and immobilization services; maintain a database of issued citations; issue late notices for overdue payment of citations; coordinate follow-up collection services, provide required reports; manage hearings procedures; and manage beach procedures such as enforcing leash regulations and alcohol on the beachfront.