In 1991, the Texas Legislature passed legislation that established a process for each municipality to create a Child Safety Fund (CSF). Each municipality is responsible for developing their own administration, monitoring, and quality assurance processes related to the equitable distribution of CSF monies. The City of Houston adopted the law in 1991 and included it in the Code of Ordinances in Article I, Section 16-8.
The purpose of the CSF is to provide funding for public, parochial, and private school crossing guard programs within City’s geographical boundaries. Revenues to the fund come from assessing a Municipal Court fee of $5.00 on each parking violation, a $1.50 fee for each vehicle registration authorized by Harris County, and up to $25.00 court costs assessed when an offense occurs within a school-crossing zone.
City Code Section 16-8 stipulates the fund is available for reimbursement of elementary and secondary school crossing guard expenses with first priority given to elementary school, and places the administrative responsibility for CSF with the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee. Historically, the revenue generated for the fund has not been enough to cover the cost of elementary school crossing guard programs. HPD will deny a school’s participation in the reimbursement program if the school is outside the City’s geographical boundaries or do not have an existing school crossing guard program.
It is recommended that City Council approve the agreements with the seventeen schools (district, parochial and private) listed below. The agreements are for a five-year term. HPD may bring additional agreements with schools/districts for City Council approval upon approval by their administrative bodies.
1 Aldine Independent School District
2 Alief Independent School District
3 Amigos Por Vida Friends for Life Charter School
4 Annunciation Orthodox School
5 Clear Creek Independent School District
6 Fort Bend Independent School District
7 Galena Park Independent School District
8 Houston Independent School District
9 Huffman Independent School District
10 John Paul II Catholic School
11 Katy Independent School District
12 Pasadena Independent School District
13 River Oaks Baptist School
14 Spring Branch Independent School District
15 St. John’s School
16 St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
The City of Houston pays out 100% of all revenues that come into this fund. The City has no obligation for paying out more from the fund than the fund takes in from revenue.
FISCAL NOTE
Funding for this item is included in the FY2020 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
**Future funding will be based on revenue received into the fund on annual basis.
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Art Acevedo
Chief of Police