Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Accept the 2024 Department of Justice Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Award in the Amount of $31,619 and to Appropriate these funds into Account 150-21-062
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
SUMMARY
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant Program, established in 2005, is the primary source of federal funding for criminal justice initiatives at the state and local levels. Administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), it combines the former Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program. The funding, which is allocated based on population, crime statistics, and a minimum allocation, is divided between state and local governments, and is available to a wide range of recipients, including municipalities, tribes, and community organizations. JAG grants support various criminal justice programs, such as law enforcement, prosecution, prevention, corrections, drug treatment, and crime victim services.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the $31,619 grant award and appropriate funds in the same amount in Account 150-21-062, and to authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute all grant documents.
BACKGROUND
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the leading source of federal funding for criminal justice initiatives at the state and local levels. Administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, the JAG Program was established in 2005. The funding supports a wide variety of state and local projects, including those aimed at crime prevention, crime control, and enhancing the criminal justice system.
To ensure a fair distribution to state and local governments, the allocation of funds is determined by a formula that factors in population and crime statistics, with a guaranteed minimum allocation. Funds are divided with 60% going to the state and 40% to local recipients. Municipal governments, tribes, and community and faith-based organizations are all eligible for funding. Historically, California's JAG funds have been allocated directly to counties through a non-competitive process.
JAG funding must adhere to specific federal guidelines, which include the following:
1) Funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing resources for program activities and cannot be used to supplant non-federal funds allocated for the same purpose.
2) Security enhancements or equipment purchases cannot be made for nongovernmental entities not directly or indirectly involved in criminal justice or public safety.
3) Funds may not be used to purchase vehicles, vessels, or aircraft, unless they are for police use; luxury items; real estate; or for construction projects, unless related to penal or correctional institutions.
4) JAG funds can be used to provide additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, including for the following programs:
a. law enforcement;
b. prosecution and court;
c. prevention and education;
d. corrections and community corrections;
e. drug treatment and enforcement;
f. planning, evaluation, and technology improvement;
g. crime victim and witness initiatives;
h. mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams; and
i. implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives.
The Police Department will allocate $28,457.10 of its 2024 JAG funding (after the 10% administrative fee) to partially cover the purchase of Busch Black AMP-1TP ballistic helmets and communications headsets for the Tactical Operations Team, as their current equipment is approaching the end of its recommended shelf life. This purchase will fulfill the equipment program, purpose area #4, listed above.
Analysis
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office submits the JAG grant application on behalf of eligible Alameda County cities and the county. The grant has a four-year span and does not require matching funds. The Sheriff’s Office shall retain 10% ($3,161.90) of the grant for administrative fees covering grant management, application processing, and financial and auditing services.
The Police Department will allocate $28,457.10 of its 2024 JAG funding (after the 10% administrative fee) to partially cover the purchase of Busch Black AMP-1TP ballistic helmets and communications headsets for the Tactical Operations Team, as their current equipment is approaching the end of its recommended shelf life. This purchase will fulfill the equipment program, purpose area #4, listed above.
Financial Impacts
The acceptance of the grant will not impact the General Fund. If approved, the City will receive $31,619 for safety and communications equipment in accordance with the DOJ JAG guidelines, with no matching funds needed. Expenditures will be recorded in grant fund account 150-21-062 with an appropriation of $28,457.10 required for the equipment purchase.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: Resolution JAG 2024 Grant
Attachment B: JAG 2024 Budget Narrative
Attachment C: Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Award Letter
PREPARED BY: Liz Jimenez, Police Business Manager, Police Department