STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Police Department requests approval to apply for awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Justice, FY09 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The funding level for the City of Tallahassee, as authorized through the America Recovery Act, is $715,006. In accordance with Federal rules the City of Tallahassee must file a joint application with Leon County for the total JAG allocation. Leon County received for FY09 $175,863, for a total combined allocation of $890,869. On March 17 representatives from Leon County, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tallahassee Police Department met to negotiate the initial distribution of FY09 JAG funding. The recommended distribution includes funding for law enforcement equipment and two ongoing criminal justice programs – booking services at the Juvenile Assessment Center and GPS tracking of offenders on pretrial release.

The JAG program requires that eligible jurisdictions provide public notification of how JAG grants will be allocated. To meet the notification requirement, the Police Department requests the City Commission hold a public hearing during the April 22, 2009 Commission meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve Option 1: Provide approval to apply for FY09 Justice Assistance Grant based on the recommended allocation of funding and schedule a public hearing on April 22, 2009, to meet Federal program requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT
The U.S. Department of Justice JAG program does not require matching funds. The Office of Budget and Policy has reviewed this request and it meets budgetary guidelines.

Dennis M. Jones, Chief of Police

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Greg Frost, 891-4411

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
In accordance with JAG program requirements, the governing body of the jurisdiction responsible for administration of the FY09 JAG grant awarded directly from the U.S. Department of Justice must review the application, approve the allocation of grant funds, and provide the application to the public for review and comment prior to final award. Based upon initial staff agreement, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners will also review for approval during the Board’s April 23 meeting the following recommended allocation:

As part of the April 22, 2009 agenda item, additional detail on the types of requested equipment will be provided.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Not applicable to this agenda item.

OPTIONS

Option One: Provide approval to apply for FY09 Justice Assistance Grant based on the recommended allocation of funding and schedule a public hearing on April 22, 2009, to meet Federal program requirements.

Pros
• Provides funding to the Juvenile Assessment Center for continuation of its booking program for arrested juveniles.
• Provides funding to Leon County for continuation of its pre-trial release GPS project.

Cons
• None

Option Two: Modify the funding recommendations to support other eligible program expenditures.

Pros
• Allows the City Commission to address issues that may be of higher priority.

Cons
• Modification to the recommended funding allocation requires City and County approval. Delays in the application process could result in missing the application deadline of May 18, 2009.

Option Three: Do not authorize acceptance of the FY09 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant.

Pros
• None

Cons
• Loss of critical funding to both the City of Tallahassee and Leon County in support of valuable criminal justice programs.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES
None