Title
COPS Program Grant - Request to Accept Award (B)
Explanation
The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) applied for and has received a COPS Universal Hiring Award to fund 15 sworn law enforcement officers. The value of the COPS award is $2,804,250 and covers full-time salaries and fringe benefits for a three-year period. At the time the grant award expires, September 30, 2013, it is expected that the Gainesville Police Department will incur the total salary and fringe benefit costs associated with sworn officers employed through the COPS award.
Because of revenue constraints identified by the City's financial staff this will impact the budget outlook through FY 2016, GPD requests authorization from the City Commission to accept this award for up to five (5) sworn officers approved by the U.S. Department of Justice through GPD's grant application.
In anticipation of the costs associated with absorbing the salaries and fringe benefits, the Gainesville Police Department will work with city staff in order to maximize the community oriented policing benefit received by the citizens of Gainesville.
Fiscal Note
Upon acceptance of the award the selection and hiring process would begin for these positions. It is anticipated that this process will take up to nine months to complete. The total net fiscal benefit to the Police Department is approximately $936,495. The annualized cost of retaining the five (5) police officers hired with this grant beyond the 2014 obligation is approximately $362,781.67. The annualized cost of retaining 15 officers would be approximately $1,088,345.01.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager to accept the COPS Hiring Award for up to five (5) sworn officers and direct the City Manager to execute the grant award and any other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 2) approve the expenditures as outlined in the approved grant award.