Title
Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund Funding for the GPD Mounted Unit (B)
Explanation
On October 13, 1997, the City Commission approved the formation of the Gainesville Police Department's two-member Police Mounted Unit and authorized funding through the LECFTF. On January 12, 1998, the City Commission authorized the expansion of the Unit to a third member. This funding request of $23,500 is to cover the operating expenses of the Unit for FY 2001. The total projected operating cost for FY 01 is $25,000; however, there is a surplus of approximately $10,000 in the FY 00 budget, which automatically rolls over into FY 01. In addition, due to the tragic loss of Coffee, there is an additional one-time funding request of $8,500 to cover the replacement and training of a new horse.
Fiscal Note
Funds for this expenditure 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 Law Enforcement Agencies." The balance in the account is $212,717.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation of $23,500 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for the operation of the Mounted Unit.