CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: June 24, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Public Hearing on Application for FY09 Justice Assistance Grants
TARGET ISSUE:

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

As follow-up to the City Commission’s action on June 10, 2009 the Police Department requests a public hearing, as well as final approval from the Commission, to accept, allocate and expend grant funds awarded through the U.S Department of Justice, Justice Assistance Grant program. The total FY09 award is $216,501. The joint City/County allocation team made up of representatives from Leon County, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tallahassee Police Department recommends $129,901 for the Police Department and $86,600 for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to purchase equipment as outlined in the Facts and Issues section of this agenda item. As in previous years the Police Department will administer the U.S. Department of Justice grant with Leon County as a sub-grant recipient.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve Option One: Hold public hearing, approve recommendations for allocation of the FY09 Justice Assistance Grants, and authorize the Police Department to expend U.S. Department of Justice JAG funds and approximately $2,000 in interest earnings.

FISCAL IMPACT

The FY09 JAG grant award totaling $216,501 requires no match. The Office of Budget and Policy has reviewed this request and it meets budgetary guidelines.

Dennis M. Jones, Tallahassee Police Department

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 each eligible jurisdiction must review the application, approve the allocation of grant funds, with public review and comment prior to its final approval. The Leon County Board of County Commissioners will review for approval during their June 26, 2009 meeting the following recommended allocation:

The proposed allocation of FY09 JAG funds allows the department to enhance existing enforcement programs as well as leverage other grant programs and joint task forces to include Project Safe Neighborhoods Gang Enforcement Program; Project Safe Neighborhoods Disarming Violent Offenders Program; North Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force; FDLE Gang and Serious Habitual Offender Strike Team; and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Policy is not applicable to a request to apply for grant funds.

OPTIONS

Option One: 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 $2,000 in interest earnings.

Pros
· Provides funding to the City of Tallahassee for the purchase of items that support the continuation and enhancement of law enforcement programs.
· Provides funding to Leon County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of Mobile Data Computers

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 the City of Tallahassee and Leon County forfeiting the FY09 JAG award. The submission deadline for the grant application is July 9, 2009.

Option Three: Do not authorize acceptance of FY07 JAG funding.

Pros

· None.

Cons

· Loss of critical funding to support valuable criminal justice programs.