Subject:
Title
Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System Grant.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System Grant (Grant).
• The Grant is supported by court fines and fees and provides recurring supplemental funding for the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory’s (Laboratory) operating costs.
• Funding in an amount not to exceed $265,000.00 has been identified in the FY22 Medical Examiner Budget provided by Grant #B4005. No Match is required.
• Since 2011, the number of DNA cases submitted to the Laboratory has continued to increase with the most significant growth coming from sexual assault cases due to legislative changes. As of September 28, 2021, 2,154 DNA cases were submitted to Laboratory for analysis, an 18% increase from 2020 (1,833 cases submitted).
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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:
Summary
This Grant Agreement is recurring supplemental funding for the Laboratory. The Grant supports Laboratory operating costs reducing reliance on general revenue support.
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Background Information:
The Grant was established under Florida Statutes, Section 938.07 and Section 938.055. Fines and fees are allocated annually across each of the five locally operated state crime laboratories based upon the percentage of population served. Pinellas County serves 12.5% of the population and will receive 12.5% of the fines collected through FY22. FDLE disperses funding quarterly based upon the total fines collected.
Since 2011, the number of DNA cases submitted to the Laboratory has continued to increase with the most significant growth coming from sexual assault cases due to legislative changes. As of September 28, 2021, 2,154 DNA cases were submitted to the Laboratory for analysis, an 18% increase from 2020 (1,833 cases submitted). The Laboratory remains in compliance with the statutory requirements for sexual assault kits and it has been several years since the Laboratory experienced a processing backlog.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriation to support related grant activities is consistent with the development of the FY22 Adopted Budget. No match is required.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Attachments:
Agreement
Intent to Apply