title
Ordinance Amending the FY26 Adopted Authorized Strength in the General Fund to Support a Social Worker Co-Responder Model
body
|
Department: |
City Manager |
Meeting Date: |
9/23/2025 |
|
Contact Name: |
Becky Hawke |
Public Hearing: |
No |
|
Contact Phone: |
910-341-7810 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
|
Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Ordinance |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this ordinance is to increase the General Fund’s authorized strength by four (4) positions to allow the hiring of co-responder social service workers.
BACKGROUND:
The General Fund’s full-time authorized strength adopted in June 2024 for FY25, beginning July 1, 2024, initially indicated a total of 963.06 positions, with two other positions already added during FY26 related to the Transportation Mobility Program. This Ordinance is intended to add four social worker positions to the Police Department to develop a co-responder program.
Under this model, these new positions would provide social service support, intervention, and related services, including crisis response, mental health support, homelessness assistance, substance abuse intervention, short-term counseling, advocacy, and referrals within assigned program areas. Responsibilities may include conducting comprehensive assessments to evaluate client needs, monitoring and evaluating client progress, providing counseling and therapeutic interventions, and maintaining detailed case documentation. These positions would be assigned to the Wilmington Police Department and work alongside patrol shifts, allowing the social workers to provide services in coordination with uniformed police personnel in response to citizen interactions.
The addition of these four (4) positions would bring the General Fund’s authorized strength to 969.06.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The anticipated annual cost of these four (4) additional positions is expected to be approximately $500,000, including salary, benefits, and related equipment and uniform needs.
Funding exists in the budget to cover FY26 costs through salary lapse. New funding would be required as part of the FY27 budget to continue the program.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends approval of this item.