Subject:
Title
Grant application with the Department of Justice for the 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Grant on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Lab.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the electronic submission of the 2018 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Grant (DNA Grant) Application with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Pinellas County Forensic Lab (Forensic Lab).
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Strategic Plan:
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The DNA Grant provides annual recurring funding to supplement the Forensic Lab. The grant funds 1.5 DNA Analyst positions, the purchase of equipment, and supplies to help maintain the Forensic Lab’s DNA case workload.
Background/Explanation:
This Grant Application requests recurring funding for positions filled under fiscal year (FY) 2012 - FY 2017 DNA Grants. The DNA Grant will allow the laboratory to analyze a minimum of 300 additional DNA cases and perform 200 additional technical reviews that would not be completed based upon current non-grant resources.
Since 2011, the number of DNA cases submitted to Forensic Lab has increased with the most significant growth coming from sexual assault cases due to legislative changes.
Year DNA Cases Submitted
2011 871
2012 1109
2013 1129
2014 1211
2015 1589
2016 1990
2017 1975
Fiscal Impact:
Recurring grant funding in an amount not to exceed $227,682.00 will be provided by the DNA Grant for the Forensic Lab. No match is required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Grant Application is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Health Care Administrator, Human Services
Partners:
Department of Justice
Pinellas County Forensic Lab
Attachments:
Certification of Nonsupplanting
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form
Financial Management & Internal Controls Form
2018 DNA Grant Funding Allotments
Intent to Apply Approval