Title
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance FY 2006 Grant Application (NB)
Explanation
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is a competitive grant opportunity consisting of $210,394 in Federal funding allocated for government entities within Alachua County. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office serves as the Grant Administrator and automatically receives 10% ($21,039), leaving the county $189,355 to fund continuing, and new projects. The Gainesville Police Department submitted three proposals for funding during this process. The first proposal was to continue funding for "Victims of Violent Crimes Assistance", which provides the Department with an in-house Victim Advocate. The second proposal was to continue funding for "Tutorial Assistance for At Risk Youth", which provides the Department with a full time academic advisor assigned to the Reichert House program. The third proposal was for new funding of a "Sexual Predator/Offender Tracking" program, which would consist of a dual approach to enforcing the terms and conditions of the offender's probation, and monitoring of sexual predators and offenders within the City of Gainesville. The department's presentation before the Alachua County Substance Abuse Policy Board requesting Byrne Grant funds was held on June 2, 2005. The Board considered many proposals and ultimately approved funding for two of the programs, "Victims of Violent Crimes Assistance" and Tutorial Assistance for At Risk Youth". The Substance Abuse Policy Board will make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners on the merits of the application. Should the Board support the request, funds will be available on or about October 1, 2005.
Fiscal Note
The grant requires a 25% match in the amount of $20,916. Funds for these expenditures are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and is allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C. ยง 881, found in the U. S. Department of Justice "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Enforcement Agencies". The balance in the account is $989,272.06 and is adjusted for pending items.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Interim City Manager to: 1) apply to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for $62,745 in grant funds; and if awarded 2) appropriate $20,916 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Fund Trust Fund for the match; and 3) execute the grant application, grant award and any other necessary documents, pending review by the City Attorney as to form and legality.