Subject:
Grant application and Memorandum of Understanding with the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Local.
Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), related grant documents, and execution of the Chief Executive Officer Certification by the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for the Fiscal Year 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Local (JAG Local).
• The JAG Local provides recurring federal criminal justice funding from the Bureau for Justice Assistance (BJA) for allocation to the City of St. Petersburg (St. Pete) and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
• Each year the County, PCSO, and St. Pete enter into a MOU and submit a joint application to allow for an equal division of the award and avoid a disparate allocation of grant funding.
• $200,925.00 in funding is provided by the JAG Local solicitation. PCSO and St. Pete will each receive $100,462.50 with PCSO serving as the fiscal administrator. Funding is available in the FY23 Adopted Budget for these grants. No match is required.
• PCSO will utilize grant to fund the Raptor Technologies Reunification software and annual access fee for countywide license and includes Raptor technical support. Designed to enhance and streamline the reunification process and offers an integrated platform that facilitates efficient communication and coordination during critical events for law enforcement and first responders. St. Pete will utilize its allocation to sustain and continue several crime prevention, community policing, and law enforcement initiatives.
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community.
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
The JAG Local provides recurring federal criminal justice funding allocated to St. Pete and PCSO, through the County. PCSO will utilize grant to fund the Raptor Technologies Reunification software and annual access fee for countywide license and includes Raptor technical support. Designed to enhance and streamline the reunification process and offers an integrated platform that facilitates efficient communication and coordination during critical events for law enforcement and first responders.
Background Information:
BJA has determined that the County and St. Pete have a disparate allocation of JAG Local funds. St. Pete is allocated 1.5 times more funding than the County, but the County bears more than 50% of the costs of incarceration and court security than for Part 1 violent crimes reported by St. Pete. Due to this disparate allocation, the County, PCSO, and St. Pete enter into an MOU and submit a joint application to combine and equally divide the total funds allocated to the entities. The MOU designates PCSO as the fiscal agent for financial and performance reporting. Allowable expenses include technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice to aid in planning, evaluation, and technology improvement. PCSO will utilize grant to fund the Raptor Technologies Reunification software and annual access fee for countywide license and includes Raptor technical support. Designed to enhance and streamline the reunification process and offers an integrated platform that facilitates efficient communication and coordination during critical events for law enforcement and first responders. St. Pete will use grant funding to sustain several of the department’s crime prevention, community policing, and engagement initiatives. Both entities also use a portion of their funding to provide required federal compliance training.
Historically this funding has allowed for increases in technology such as tactical surveillance units, rental vehicles, barcode reader equipment, training, overtime for cold case investigations, and crime prevention activities.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $200,925.00 is provided by the FY 2023 JAG Local grant program. PCSO and St. Pete will each receive $100,462.50, with PCSO serving as the applicant and fiscal agent for grant administration. This total does not include potential rollover funds. No match is required. The funding is included in the FY24 PSCO Proposed Budget
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Memorandum of Understanding is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1) and 2-62 (a)(4).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
City of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Police Department
Attachments:
JAG Local MOU
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
Certifications & Assurances by Chief Executive Officer
Financial Management Questionnaire