Subject:
Title
Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Fiscal Year 2025 Local Solicitation.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government for the U.S Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Local Solicitation (JAG Local).
• The JAG Local provides recurring federal criminal justice funding from the Bureau for Justice Assistance for allocation to the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). The joint application and memorandum of understanding was approved by the County Administrator through 26-0223D on April 20, 2026.
• The Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government are required to be signed after the application is presented to the governing body for review and made public to allow citizens and community organizations an opportunity to comment.
• The PCSO posted public notification on April 20, 2026.
• Federal award funds in the amount of $190,948.00 will not be released until the certification is executed by the Chief Executive of the applicant government agency. Revenue from this grant is included in the FY26 General Fund Budget as part of the annual $2.250M available potential grants received by PCSO. These funds are held until requested by the Sheriff to allow for quicker disbursement of funds to the Sheriff.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve Public Health.
2.2 Enhance Community Safety.
Summary:
Summary
The JAG local provides recurring federal criminal justice funding allocated to St. Pete and PCSO, through the County. PCSO will utilize the grant to replace outdated fleet equipment at the Central District Station’s garage. St. Pete will utilize its allocation to support and continue several crime-prevention and law enforcement initiatives.
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Background Information:
BJA has determined that the County and St. Pete have a disparate allocation of JAG 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 will enter into an MOU and submit a joint application to combine and equally divide the total funds allocated to the entities. The MOU designated PCSO as the fiscal agent for financial and performance reporting. Allowable expenses include technical assistance, training, and personnel, equipment, supplies contractual support, and information systems from criminal justice to aid in planning, evaluation, and technology improvement. PCSO will utilize the grant to replace outdated fleet equipment at the Central District Station’s garage. St. Pete will utilize its allocation to support and continue several crime-prevention and law enforcement initiatives.
Historically this funding has allowed for increases in technology such as tactical surveillance units, rental vehicles, barcode reader equipment, training, and overtime for cold case investigations, and crime prevention activities.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $190,948.00 is provided by the FY2025 JAG Local grant program. PCSO and St. Pete will each receive $95,474.00, 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 FY26 General Fund Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
City of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Police Department
Attachments:
Certifications and Assurances by the Chief of the Applicant Government
Public Notice PCSO JAG Local Grant
JAG Application Submission