Subject:
Title
Funding recommendations for the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant-Countywide and related grant administration documents.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of funding distribution recommendations by the Substance Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB) for the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide (JAG-C) and approval and execution of a letter for delegation of authority to the County Administrator for JAG-C for this year’s grant applications, award agreements and administration documents, and ratification of the Certificate of Participation Chair signature.
• The JAG-C is a formula-based U.S. Department of Justice pass-through grant administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). It supports projects that help reduce crime and improve the criminal justice system.
• The SAAB reviewed applications for projects to be funded by JAG-C. The selected projects were voted on and recommended by the SAAB on June 26, 2024.
• The JAG-C will provide $270,837.00 in funding to support 8 projects in Pinellas County.
• There was a total of 15 applications requesting $434,935.81 in funding; this does not include the Human Services Planning Position, which automatically is awarded 10% of the grant funding.
• A delegation of authority letter is requested by FDLE to allow the County Administrator to complete the application process.
• Attachment #6 is for ratification. The Certificate of Participation with Chair signature. Due to the short deadline for the Certificate of Participation of June 28th, the item was processed separately for County Administrator approval and required Chair's signature.
• To meet FDLE deadlines, the following documents are included for the County Administrator signature: Letter Delegating Authority to County Administrator, JAG-C 51% Approval Letter, Lobbying Debarment and Drug-Free Certificate, and Subaward Management Questionnaire.
• Based on crime and population statistics, FDLE has allocated, $270,837.00 for Pinellas County. This is a slight increase over last year ($250,805.00). No local match is required. Funding to support this agreement was anticipated and is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget.
• Funding to support this agreement was anticipated and is partially included in the FY25 Budget. This agreement has a fiscal non-funding clause should this part of the FY25 Budget not be approved.
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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:
Summary
The JAG-C is a formula-based pass-through grant of federal funds awarded to Pinellas County by the FDLE through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. JAG-C applications were received through a competitive solicitation and reviewed by the SAAB. On June 26, 2024, the SAAB approved the recommendation of eight (8) projects for funding.
JAG-C 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.
Background Information:
The JAG-C is a recurring DOJ pass-through grant administered by FDLE. JAG-C Projects must fall within a specific federal purpose area that reduces crime and/or improves the criminal justice system. Florida’s JAG-C program represents 60% of the state’s total federal Justice Assistance Grant award. The program is governed by Rule 11D-9 of the Florida Administrative Code (Code 11D-9) and funds are allocated to the County based partially on population and crime statistics.
The SAAB was established in 1989 to comply with Code 11D-9, stating Florida counties should appoint a substance abuse policy board that represents all components of the criminal justice system. The SAAB serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and one of its primary duties is to review applications and recommend projects to be funded by JAG-C.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $270,837.00 is provided by the JAG-C to support eight (8) projects in Pinellas County. Of these projects, seven (7) will be administered by Human Services. These projects have a combined total of $258,275.44.
The City of Pinellas Park will administer their own project directly with FDLE. The City of Pinellas Park project total is $12,561.56.
Funding to support this agreement was anticipated and $196,210.00 is included in the FY25 Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
ALPHA House of Pinellas County
Boley Centers
City of Pinellas Park Police Department
Homeless Empowerment Program
MORE Health
Operation PAR
WestCare Gulfcoast-Florida
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement
U.S. Department of Justice
Attachments:
JAG-C Project Recommendations
Letter Delegating Authority to County Administrator
JAG-C 51% Approval Letter
Lobbying Debarment and Drug-Free Certificate
Subaward Management Questionnaire
Certificate of Participation with Chair Signature