Subject:
Title
Renewal of the extension of signature authority and Certificate of Participation for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the letter documenting the extension of signature authority to the County Administrator for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide (JAG-C) award agreements and the approval and delegation of authority to the Board of County Commissioners Chairman to sign the Certificate of Participation for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 JAG-C grant solicitation.
• JAG-C is annual recurring funding that is distributed to law enforcement and community agencies for crime prevention.
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) requires an updated letter extending signature authority to the County Administrator to replace the previously signed letter due to the change in Chairmanship in January 2026.
• The original letter was approved and signed by the previous Chair on June 24, 2025, file number 25-0953A.
• This item also includes approval and delegation of authority to the Chair to execute the Certificate of Participation for the upcoming FFY25 JAG-C solicitation, once funding is released.
• The Certificate of Participation serves as notification to FDLE that the County intends to apply for the funding allocation and designates Human Services as the coordinating agency for the grant.
• As the Statewide Administering Agency, FDLE requires the Board to execute a Certificate of Participation prior to the application process. The Certificate of Participation is within the delegated authority of the County Administrator to approve grant applications; however, FDLE requires signature by the Board Chair as the authorized individual for Pinellas County.
• Execution of the Certificate of Participation is often due to FDLE less than 30 days after the grant solicitation notification. Delegating the signature authority in advance of the solicitation notification is necessary to allow the timely execution of the document within FDLE’s critical timeline.
• Approval of this report has no fiscal impact.
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Strategic Plan:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance Community Safety.
Summary:
Summary
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide (JAG-C), is a pass-through grant of federal funds awarded to Pinellas County by the FDLE through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. JAGC has a multistep process that requires a Certificate of Participation, coordination of 51% letters from the community, facilitation of award recommendations and application submissions, acceptance of awards, and award administration.
The delegation letter provides documentation to FDLE regarding the authority to sign JAG-C related documents that do not require Board approval.
The Certificate of Participation serves as notification to FDLE that the County intends to apply for the funding allocation and designates Human Services as the coordinating agency for the grant.
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Background Information:
The JAG-C is a national formula-based, block grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) serves as a pass-through entity for JAG-C federal funding. FDLE allocates JAGC funding to counties throughout Florida based on crime and population statistics.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
Attachments:
Letter for Extension of Signature Authority to County Administrator
FFY 2024 Executed Letter of Signature Authority
FFY 2024 Executed Certificate of Participation