Title
Federal LECFTF Funding for the Joint Aviation Unit for FY2014 (B)
This request is for $130,194 for the operating budget for the Gainesville Police Department's Joint Aviation Unit.
Explanation
On July 8, 1996 the City Commission approved the Inter-Agency Agreement for a Joint Aviation Unit between the Alachua County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) and the City of Gainesville's Police Department. The agreement allows for each agency to share the cost of the Aviation hangar and office located at the Gainesville Regional Airport and the ACSO maintenance technician's salary. Total estimated operating costs for FY14 are $130,194. Estimated costs for the City's half of the hangar/office and maintenance technician's salary are $50,000. In addition, this request includes costs for normal operating expenses for GPD's helicopter and associated costs.
Fiscal Note
Funds in the amount of $130,194 for this expenditure are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and is allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C. () 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 unreserved fund balance in this account is $1,111,026 as of July 31, 2013.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the appropriation of the amount of $130,194 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for the Joint Aviation Unit budget; and 2) approve a purchase order for ACSO for the estimated amount of $50,000 for 1/2 hanger/office rent and mechanic's salary per inter-agency agreement dated July 8, 1996.
Alternative Recommendation
The City Commission deny funding this request.