CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: April 22, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Public hearing on and acceptance of Justice Assistance Grant – America Recovery Act
TARGET ISSUE:

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

The Police Department requests a public hearing, as well as final approval from the Commission, to apply for, accept, allocate and expend grant funds awarded through the U.S Department of Justice’s America Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant program. The City of Tallahassee and Leon County are eligible to receive a combined award of $890,869 through the FY09 JAG program. The funding level for the City of Tallahassee and Leon County, as authorized through the America Recovery Act, is $715,006 and $175,863 respectively. On March 17, 2009 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.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve Option 1: Hold public hearing, approve recommendations for allocation of the FY09 Justice Assistance Grant, and authorize the Police Department to expend U.S. Department of Justice JAG funds and approximately $8,000 in interest earnings.

FISCAL IMPACT

The U.S. Department of Justice JAG program does not require matching funds. Funding awarded by the JAG program will be deposited into an interest bearing account for utilization by the Police Department within eligible categories. Based upon the requested allocation detailed in the History/Facts & Issues, approximately $7,615 is requested to support annual maintenance service agreements for three software applications. To maintain a consistent service level after the grant period ends September 30, 2012, Information System Services will require through the City budget process beginning FY13 a corresponding $7,615 increase in its annual Operating Budget. 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 Commissioners will review for approval during the Board’s April 21 meeting with a follow-up public hearing May 12 for the following recommended allocation:

Recommended Allocation
Funding Level
Juvenile Assessment Center – Three-year contract to continue booking services ($70,000 per year)
$210,000
Enhanced Pretrial Monitoring Program
$124,000

LCSO Law Enforcement Equipment

  • 56 Mobile Data Computers

 

$278,434

TPD Law Enforcement Equipment

  • Surveillance Equipment
  • TAC Team Rifles
  • Forensic/Crime Scene Equipment
  • Wireless In-Field Connectivity Software for TPD Intelligence Database (Includes $3,425 Annual Maintenance Agreement)
  • Upgrade Recruit Training Evaluation Software for Police Officers and Public Safety Communications Officers (Includes $2,840 Annual Maintenance Agreement)
  • Handheld Parking Ticket Devices
  • 5 Mobile Data Computers
  • 8 Patrol Rifles and In-Car Mounts
  • Crime Analysis Software (Includes $1,350 Annual Maintenance Agreement)
  • City Area Command Center Upgrade

TPD Total

 

$50,000
$50,000
$42,000
$35,875
$36,860
$20,088
$19,500
$9,112
$9,000
$6,000

$278,435

Total Allocation
$890,869

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Not applicable to this agenda item.

OPTIONS

1. Hold public hearing, approve recommendations for allocation of the FY09 Justice Assistance Grant, and authorize the Police Department to expend U.S. Department of Justice JAG funds and approximately $8,000 in interest earnings.

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.
• Provides funding for the Police Department and Leon County Sheriff’s Office to purchase critically needed equipment.

Cons:
• None

2. 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 the City of Tallahassee and Leon County missing the federal submission deadline of May 18, 2009.

3. 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 to support valuable criminal justice programs and equipment procurement.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES

None