Subject:
Title
Grant agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System Grant.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory Grant (Grant).
• The Grant is supported by court fines and fees and provides recurring supplemental funding for the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory’s (Pinellas Laboratory) operating costs.
• Pinellas Laboratory completed a total of 9,408 laboratory service requests in FY25, a decrease of approximately 9% from FY24.
• Funding in the approximate amount of $220,000.00 is included in and consistent with the Medical Examiner’s FY26 Adopted Budget.
• No match is required.
• Funding for this grant agreement is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget for the Medical Examiner Department within the General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve Public Health.
2.2 Enhance Community Safety.
Summary:
This Grant Agreement is recurring supplemental funding for the Pinellas Laboratory. The Grant supports the Pinellas Laboratory operating costs reducing reliance on general revenue support.
Background/Explanation:
The Grant was established under Florida Statutes (F.S.), Section 938.07 and Section 938.055. Fines and fees are allocated annually across each of the five locally operated state crime laboratories based upon the percentage of population served. Pinellas County serves 12.20% of the population and will receive approximately 12.20% of the fines collected through FY25. FDLE disperses funding quarterly based upon the total fines collected.
As a member of the Florida Crime Laboratory System (F.S. 943.33), Pinellas County receives funding from the collection of fines for criminal cases in which member laboratory services are used. This grant is the distribution of those fines to Pinellas County for the purpose of offsetting laboratory operational funding. Pinellas Laboratory completed a total of 9,408 laboratory service requests in FY25, a decrease of approximately 9% from FY24.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the approximate amount of $220,000.00 for grant award number VC005 is included in and consistent with the Medical Examiner’s FY26 Adopted Budget. FDLE disperses funding quarterly based upon the total fines collected.
Funding for this grant agreement is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget for the Medical Examiner Department within the General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
No match is required.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Attachments:
Agreement
Intent to Apply