To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Law Office of the Public Defender
Staff Name and Phone Number: Trisha Griffus 707-565-3869
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
FY2020 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Acceptance
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing the Public Defender, Kathleen Pozzi, to sign an agreement with the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance executing the FY2020 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). (Majority)
B) Adopt a resolution adjusting the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Adopted Budget to receive $37,236 revenue and program associated expenditures related to the grant. (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
Board approval and authorization is requested to allow the Public Defender, Kathleen Pozzi to accept the Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the amount of $37,236.
The Public Defender’s Office will use the funds to improve digital technology and provide training to staff.
Discussion:
On August 19, 2020, the Department submitted a grant application for the annual allocated JAG grant for $37,236. This grant provides local government assistance to local jurisdictions to assist in criminal court proceedings including the representation of indigent defendants.
The Department’s application centered around the need to update our digital technology capabilities, add prior closed felony cases to our electronic records and provide staff with training that is less accessible due to Covid-19 and budgetary travel restrictions.
Training includes topics such as DNA analysis, Ethics, Social Bias and Forensics. The Department also hopes to improve cellphone and other social media data analysis equipment and software.
The grant was approved by the Department of Justice on September 18, 2020 and the grant budget period will end September 30, 2022.
In 2005, Congress established the Justice Assistance Grant Program, which replaced funding previously disbursed through the Byrne Formula Grant Program and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, in order to provide state and local governments with more flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are needed most. Allocations are determined based on state population, crime expenditure data, and violent crime data from FBI Uniform Crime Reports. The Justice Assistance Grant Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. It provides states, counties, and cities with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs. Funding for Sonoma County has fluctuated drastically over the years, from a 2009 high of $279,090 to a s low as zero funding. They Justice Assistance Grant awards represent one-time funding and there is no match requirement. Sonoma County rotates this grant program amount the four justice departments, the sheriff, Probation, District Attorney and the Law Office of the Public Defender. Per the rotation, the Fiscal 2020-21 grant is designated for the Public Defender.
Prior Board Actions:
Approval of annual Justice Assistance Grant Program applications since 2005, and since 1996 through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program. This grant was last approved June 4, 2019 for the District Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 20-21 Adopted |
FY21-22 Projected |
FY 22-23 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$37,236 |
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Total Expenditures |
$37,236 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$37,236 |
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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 |
$37,236 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The grant will have no impact on the Department’s general fund contribution. Justice Assistance Grant Program funds represent one-time funding and there is no match requirement. Justice Assistance Grant Program expenditures will be fully offset with the grant revenue.
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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):
None.
Attachments:
1) Grant Acceptance Resolution
2) Award Documentation
3) Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.