To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney
Staff Name and Phone Number: Shane Lewis 565-3150
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the District Attorney to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sonoma County District Attorney and Santa Rosa Police Department establishing an agreement to jointly participate in the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
B) Delegate the authority to the District Attorney to enter into a subaward agreement with Santa Rosa Police Department for participation in the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and accept $40,872 in grant funding for the term October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2026.
end
Executive Summary:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program is a leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions to support program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, crime prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and technology improvement. The JAG Program funds are allocated to each state based on its share of the national population, crime expenditure data, and violent crime statistics, and funds are then split between the state and local jurisdictions. Based on the eligibility formula used by the Department of Justice, both the County of Sonoma and the City of Santa Rosa are allocated funds for this program.
Funds will be used to convert workspace previously used as a file room that has been made redundant as we move to a paperless environment via our case management system, and to update workspaces to include the purchase of ergonomic equipment and office furniture. The newly renovated space will consolidate office technology resources to one centralized location, creating a more collaborative work environment for the IT staff and a more efficient workspace to enhance and improve the delivery of services to DA staff and the justice partners, including the preparation of exhibits, and data uploads and downloads to the DA case management system.
Discussion:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program was established by Congress in 2005 to replace funding previously disbursed through the Byrne Formula Grant Program and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. Allocations are made based on state population, crime expenditure data, and violent crime data as determined by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in conjunction with the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The County of Sonoma rotates this grant program among the four justice departments: Sheriff, Probation, Public Defender, and District Attorney. Per the rotation, the grant for the Federal Fiscal Year 2022-2023 is designated for the District Attorney.
According to the JAG Program Statute, a disparity exists between the funding eligibility of a county and a city within its jurisdiction when the amount awarded to the city exceeds 150 percent of the amount allocated to the county in which it is located. The County of Sonoma and the City of Santa Rosa have been identified by the Bureau of Justice Assistance as disparate municipalities and are required to submit a joint application for the 2022-2023 Federal Fiscal Year. The Sonoma County allocation is $40,872 and City of Santa Rosa allocation is 162% of the County allocation at $66,280, resulting in the disparate designation. A memorandum of understanding that identifies which jurisdiction will serve as the applicant or fiscal agent for joint funds must be completed and signed by the authorized representative for each participating jurisdiction. The City of Santa Rosa will act as the fiscal agent for the FFY 2022-2023 program and, once the award is made, will be responsible for the distribution of grant funds to the District Attorney through a subaward.
Grant funds received under this program will be used to consolidate office technology resources to one centralized location by converting space previously used as a file room into collaborative workspace and individual workstations, as well as storage for equipment and supplies, for the IT team. The reconfigured space will enhance and improve the delivery of services, including the preparation of exhibits and data uploads and downloads into the DA case management system, while ensuring delivery of IT services to the District Attorney’s Office staff in an ergonomic space.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
The Board has approved participation in the Justice Assistance Grant Program since 2005, and since 1996 under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. Grant participation was approved for the District Attorney’s Office to participate in the FFY 2017-18 program, however successful legal challenges to controversial conditions in the grant delayed final approval until 2020. County Counsel advised against applying for JAG funds in FFY 2018-19 and FFY 2019-20 due to the continuing legal challenges to grant conditions. Participation in the program by the Public Defender’s Office was approved in 2020, and the Sheriff’s Department in 2021. There has not been a requirement for County agencies to participate jointly with the City of Santa Rosa until this grant cycle.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$40,872 |
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Total Expenditures |
$40,872 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$40,872 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$40,872 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Upon formal award, the 2022 Justice Assistance Grant revenue and expenditures will be included as adjustments to the District Attorney’s FY22-23 final budget through consolidated budget adjustments. Justice Assistant Grant Program funds represent one-time funding and there is no match requirement. Expenditures will be offset with grant revenue and there will be no increase to general fund net cost.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
No staffing impacts
Attachments:
Memorandum of Understanding
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A