Subject:
Title
Grant application with the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2025 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Formula Grants Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the grant application and related documents for the 2025 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog (CEBR) Formula Grants Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Lab (Forensic Lab).
• Grant application to provide recurring funding to support the Forensic Lab’s capacity to reduce and avoid backlogs.
• Previous DNA grant awards have been received for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 through 2024.
• This FY2025 grant application request continued funding for 1.5 DNA Analyst positions, equipment, and supplies.
• The federal grant allocation is $225,835.00 for 24 months, from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027.
• No match required.
• ME is not expecting awarding of Grant until mid FY26 and will start utilizing in FY27 if awarded.
• This grant is not budgeted in the FY26 Adopted Budget. If the grant is awarded, it will be expended in FY27 and will be requested as part of the FY27 Proposed Budget.
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Strategic Priorities:
Health and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve Public Health
2.2 Enhance Community Safety
Summary:
The DNA program seeks to increase the capacity of publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories to process more samples and reduce potential backlog of samples awaiting analysis. This grant continues to provide annual recurring funding to supplement the Pinellas Forensic Lab with 1.5 DNA Analyst positions and equipment/supply purchases to maintain DNA case workload.
Background/Explanation:
Previous DNA grant awards have been received for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 through FY2024. This FY2025 grant application requests continued funding for positions, equipment, and supplies, including allowing for the laboratory to analyze a minimum of 200 additional DNA cases and perform 200 additional technical reviews that would not be completed based upon current non-grant resources.
Fiscal Impact:
The total federal grant allocation is $225,835.00 for 24 months, from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. No match is required.
ME is not expecting awarding of Grant until mid FY26 and will start utilizing in FY27 if awarded.
This grant is not budgeted in the FY26 Adopted Budget. If the grant is awarded, it will be expended in FY27 and will be requested as part of the FY27 Proposed Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Grant Application is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
U.S Department of Justice
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Attachments:
2025 Grant Fund Allocations
2025 DNA Grant Solicitation
DNA Program Income Policy
Intent to Apply Approval
CEBR Eligibility Certification
CEBR Budget Breakdown Certification
DOJ Certifications
DOJ Assurances