Subject:
Title
Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Board Budget Amendment No. 4 supplementing the Medical Examiner and Real Estate Management General Fund Budgets for the DNA Laboratory.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve Budget Amendment No. 4 realigning $75,000 from the General Government Non-Program cost center to the Medical Examiner’s Forensic DNA Laboratory Program and to the Real Estate Management Facility Operations and Maintenance Program within the General Fund.
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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
Summary:
At the request of the Medical Examiner, this budget amendment realigns $75,000 from the Reserves Program to the Medical Examiner Program and Real Estate Management Facility Operations and Maintenance Program, within the General Fund, to allow for hiring of a DNA Analyst, workspace modifications, and additional equipment and supplies. The additional items are needed due to an anticipated increase in workload related to processing additional sexual assault kits due to Florida legislative action (SB636).
Background Information:
Florida Statute Section 943.326, was passed to address the backlog of sexual assault kits throughout Florida. The unfunded mandate requires that sexual assault kits must be submitted for testing within thirty (30) days and processed within one hundred and twenty (120) days. The Forensic Laboratory has experienced a 30% increase in workload and anticipates an increase of 100 sexual assault kits per year, thus requiring an increase in staff, supplies, equipment, and workspace adjustments. The new law goes into effect July 1, 2016.
Fiscal Impact:
This amendment will realign $75,000 from General Fund Reserves for Contingencies to the Medical Examiner and Real Estate Management budgets. This amendment is consistent with FY17 budget development, including a decision package increasing appropriation to the Medical Examiner for FY17.
Staff Member Responsible:
Don Mello Jr., Budget and Financial Management Analyst
Office of Management and Budget
Partners:
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Medical Examiner for the Sixth Judicial Circuit
Attachments:
Board Budget Amendment