Item 4BAGENDA ITEM # 4B
JiJNE 14, 2010
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Justice Assistance Grant
DATE: May 28, 2010
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Assistant City Manager
Michael D. Classey, Chief of Police
BACKGROUND:
Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) are grants that have been established by the Federal
Government and administered by the State of Florida. Atlantic Beach has benefitted from
JAG grants for many years. The allocations for this grant must be approved by at least
half of the law enforcement agencies in Duval County. Based upon early discussions, it
appears that an Atlantic Beach request for $122,660 in funding will be approved. This
grant can be used to enhance law enforcement by supplementing existing nonfederal
funds for program activities, which may include the purchase law enforcement
equipment, or providing funding to retain law enforcement positions that have been
federally funded. This grant does not require any matching funds from the City.
A review of the police department's proposed 2010-11 budget reveals that due to
decreased revenues, there may not be sufficient General Fund money to cover the salaries
and benefits for the two (2) Community Oriented Policing (COPS) officers and one (1)
Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) Detective. All three (3) positions were grant funded in the
FY 2009-10 budget. The two (2) COPS officers have been dedicated to work in the
Mayport Corridor and Royal Palms initiatives. The CSU Detective plays an integral part
in both of those projects as well. In the absence of additional revenues, which appears
very unlikely, these positions will probably be eliminated.
Many times grants such as this are utilized to purchase equipment; however, given our
current budget dilemma, I contend that the most productive use of these funds would be
to retain both of our COPs positions and the CSU Detective to work on the projects
which the City has identified as top priorities.
The next step of the process for this grant is for the Police Department to apply for the
funding on-line and to submit hard copies of the applications with original signatures. For
this process, the City needs to authorize the Mayor to sign the related paperwork. The
City also needs to authorize Chief Classey to submit the applications on-line and have the
authorization to electronically sign the on-line applications on behalf of the Mayor. The
deadline for the on line applications is June 25, 2010 and the hard copy submission is due
no later than July 2, 2010.
AGEI3DA ITEM # 4B
JiJNE 14, 2010
BUDGET: This action will provide $122,660 in grant funding to be added to the
2010-11 Patrol and Detective salary/benefit accounts to retain two (2) COPs officer
positions and one (1) CSU Detective position which will lack sufficient funding in the
General Fund salary budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To authorize the Mayor to sign the related paperwork for
the applications and the subsequent paperwork related to the JAG grant. In addition, to
authorize Michael D. Classey to submit the applications on line and have the
authorization to electronically sign the on-line applications on behalf of the Mayor and
the City.
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: