Item 8EAGENDA ITEM # 8E
AUGUST 10, 2009
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Justice Assistance Grant
DATE: August 3, 2009
SUBMITTED BY: Michael D. Classe , C ' f Police I, ~~
David E. Thomp st. City Manager
BACKGROUND:
Justice Assistance Grants (JAGS) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) were established by the Federal Government and administered by the State of
Florida. In March 2009, the Atlantic Beach Police Department received the approval for
$33,538 in grant funding to be dedicated to the Atlantic Beach Police Department. The
City Commission provided approval for staff to apply for this funding to retain law
enforcement positions dedicated to community policing and redevelopment on Mayport
Corridor.
When preparing the budget for the Police Department each year, staff recognizes that all
of the positions are not going to be filled throughout the year. Through attrition, some
positions are going to be "open" while the department advertises and seeks qualified
applicants. This is recognized in the budget requests by reducing funding for salaries and
benefits based on an estimate of the unfilled positions and the corresponding expenses.
In March 2009, a review of the police department's budget revealed that there was
insufficient funding to cover all of the salaries and benefits for police department
employees through the end of the fiscal year. In the absence of additional revenues,
which appeared very unlikely, the police department needed to reduce staffing to stay
within the existing budget.
The COPS positions dedicated to Mayport Road and Royal Palms were the most likely to
be lost due to budget shortages. This would have severely reduced redevelopment efforts
in both of these areas. When JAG ARRA funding became available, staff determined
that the most productive use of these funds would be to retain both of our COPS positions
to work on the projects which the City has identified as top priorities.
The Police Department applied for the funding on-line and submitted hard copies of the
application with original signatures. The City Commission authorized the Mayor to sign
the related paperwork, and authorized Chief Classey to submit the application on-line and
have the authorization to electronically sign the on-line application on behalf of the
Mayor.
AGENDA ITEM # 8E
AUGUST 10, 2009
The application has been accepted and approved, and staff needs the authorization from
the City Commission to draft an appropriate budget adjustment to add these funds to the
City of Atlantic Beach 2008-09 budget.
BUDGET: This action will provide $33,538 in grant funding to be added to the 2008-
2009 Police salaries to retain COPs officer positions. This grant does not require any
matching funds from the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To authorize City staff to prepare an ordinance to make the
appropriate adjustments to the 2008-09 budget relative to this funding.
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: "~~
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