Ocoee to outsource school crossing-guard program

OCOEE – During the July 17 Ocoee City Commission meeting, city leaders consented to the Ocoee Police Department’s request to privatize the department’s school crossing-guard program.

The program, which employs 28 crossing guards and 31 employees, will be outsourced to All City Management Services, with a contract set to begin Aug. 1 and end June 30, 2019.

According to city documents, All City Management Services provides crossing-guard services to the city of Kissimmee and Renaissance Charter School in Ocoee. All City Management Services will offer employment to all the crossing guards currently employed by the city at an hourly rate of approximately $12, according to Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Steve McCosker.

The estimated cost of the city’s contract with All City Management Services is $272,903 for the 2018-19 school year and includes costs for training, supervision, recruitment background clearance, equipment, insurance and the addition of a new crossing guard post and substitutes.

By contracting out the program, the city will see a cost increase of about $51,000. The increase should be offset by savings from avoiding the use of police officers and community-service aids, according to the agenda.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Ocoee commissioners agreed to set the proposed tentative millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year at 6.50. This rate may be adjusted during future budget hearings in September, as has historically been done. Because the city’s assessed property value increased by $232 million, the city’s current 5.65 rate would generate a $1.27 million revenue increase.
• The city is soliciting qualification statements from firms interested in contract work for the new Ocoee City Hall. City commissioners approved an evaluation committee’s recommended ranking of Wharton-Smith Inc., McCree Design Builder Inc. and H.J. High Construction Company as the top three firms. These firms will now send design/construction proposals for consideration.
• Upon the recommendation of the city’s utilities director, city commissioners approved a $344,097 contract to Central Florida Tapping & Construction Services Inc. for the Kimball Area Water Main Upgrade Capital Project.
• City leaders approved an allocation of $20,158.20 for restoration work to a city-maintained pond that was damaged during Hurricane Irma.

Correction: A previous version of this article erroneously stated the crossing guards would be paid at an hourly rate of $19.50. The article has since been modified.