Agenda Item 8GAGENDA ITEM # 8G
JULY 11, 2011
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Justice Assistance Grant
DATE: July 1, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Michael D. Classe hief of Police
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 $105,574 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 2011 -12 budget reveals that due to
decreased revenues, there will not be sufficient General Fund money to cover the salaries
for one (1) Community Oriented Policing (COPs) officer and one (1) Crime Suppression
Unit (CSU) Detective. Both positions were grant funded in the FY 2010 -11 budget. The
COPS officer has 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. Staff recommends using a portion of the JAG funding to retain
these positions.
After funding these positions, there is $23,574 still available. Staff recommends utilizing
these funds to cover a portion of the Community Redevelopment Coordinator position.
Many times grants such as these 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 our COPs position, the CSU Detective and a part time portion of the
Redevelopment Coordinator position 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
AGENDA ITEM # 8G
JULY 11, 2011
deadline for the on line applications is July 22, 2011 and the hard copy submission is due
no later than July 29, 2011.
BUDGET: This action will provide $105,574 in grant funding to be added to the
2010 -11 Patrol and Detective salary accounts to retain one (1) COPS officer position and
one (1) CSU Detective position which will otherwise lack sufficient funding in the
General Fund salary budget. This grant will also be utilized to fund a portion of the
Redevelopment Coordinator position.
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.
ATTACII E NTS: None
MA REVIEWED BY CITY