Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
SF 561 – Cold Case Unit (LSB1946SV)
Staff Contact: Christin Mechler (515.250.0458) christin.mechler@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
Senate File 561 establishes a Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Department of Public
Safety (DPS). The Unit is tasked, within its capabilities, with conducting criminal investigations
after an initial criminal investigation has been completed by law enforcement. The Unit is to
focus on investigations involving unsolved murders, missing children, and missing adults
presumed to be dead. The Bill requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to appoint at least
2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to the Cold Case Investigation Unit.
Background
Currently, no specific unit within the DPS is assigned to handle existing cold cases. At this time,
the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) takes responsibility for investigating cold cases as time and
resources allow.
Assumptions
• Due to the complex nature of cold case investigations, the DPS will need to appoint agents
at the position classification level of Special Agent. In order to investigate cold cases,
significant crime-solving experience is needed.
• It is assumed that the DPS will reassign 2.0 existing Special Agent positions. In order to
backfill these two positions and to accommodate the Department’s internal hiring process,
the DPS assumes it would eventually hire two Trooper I positions.
• Due to the strict timeline of the hiring process and subsequent academy admission, it is
likely that the DPS will not be able to fully onboard the two Trooper I positions needed for
personnel backfill until FY 2023.
• For FY 2024, compensation totals are adjusted for a 3.0% increase in salary and benefits.
Fiscal Impact
Table 1 provides a breakdown of the cost for 2.0 Trooper I FTE position for two years, including
salary and benefit details.
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 Table 1 — Cost of 2.0 Trooper I FTE Positions, FY 2023 – FY 2024
Expense FY 2023 FY 2024
Salary & Benefits $ 134,200 $ 138,400
Uniform & Outerwear 9,160 0
Firearms & Ammunition 6,800 0
Portable Radio & Equipment 18,600 0
Vehicle 52,000 0
Laptop & Accessories 12,000 0
Additional Vehicle Equipment $ 65,800 $ 0
Total $ 298,560 $ 138,400
Senate File 561 will increase the cost to the DPS by an estimated $298,600 in FY 2023 and
$138,400 in FY 2024.
Sources
Department of Public Safety
LSA analysis
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
March 22, 2021
Doc ID 1216610
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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