DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the application and acceptance of funds upon award, for a 2017 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Bexar County.
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the application and acceptance of funds upon award, for a 2017 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for a Child Welfare Strategic Alliance Program, a City/County project addressing child sexual abuse/assault not to exceed $272,594.00; Authorizing a Cash Match of $8,896.00 and authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Bexar County regarding the distribution of grant funds and designating Bexar County as the grant fiscal agent; establishing a personnel complement and appropriating a budget; the grant period will be from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Justice Assistance Grants were first awarded in 2005. Provisions of the grant require the City and Bexar County to submit a joint application. The solicitation date for this grant was August 03, 2017. The grant funds are used to support a joint City/County project for addressing child sexual abuse/assault.
The funds for the 2017 JAG grant will be used to continue supporting the joint City/County project called Child Welfare Strategic Alliance Program. The purpose of the project is to conduct joint investigations with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney's Office, the Bexar County Housing and Human Services Department, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, and ChildSafe (formally called the Alamo Children's Advocacy Center). Furthermore, the project will reduce the number of interviews required of a child victim, minimizing the negative impact of the investigation and the re-victimization of the child. The City's portion of the grant will be used to continue to fund two (2) Detective Investigator positions. These Detective Investigators will investigate sexual abuse/assault cases involving children. Tasked with the investigation of more than 28 different offenses, a large portion of the Special Victims Unit's caseload involves children as victims.
The County will utilize the FY2017 JAG grant to continue funding grant-funded positions that are currently funded by the existing JAG programs that include problem solving courts, jail diversion, and victim advocacy. The majority of the funds will go to fund various positions (Adult & Juvenile Probation Officers, Prosecutors, Court Case Managers, etc.) in the Bexar County Drug Courts, the Bexar County District Attorney's Office, and the Juvenile and Adult Probation Offices.
The grant is for a four year period beginning October 1, 2016 and ending September 30, 2020. The total joint grant amount for the City and Bexar County is $681,485.00. The grant funds are to be split 60% ($408,891.00) for the County and 40% ($272,594.00) for the City. The proposed split of funds is consistent with past agreements between the City and County.
The City's portion of the grant will be used to continue to fund two (2) Detective Investigator positions. These Detective Investigators will investigate sexual abuse/assault cases involving children. The City will have a Cash Match obligation of $8,896.00 in order to fully fund the two positions and their operations.
Additionally the Department of Justice has new requirements regarding certain certifications/commitments as they relate to sanctuary cities. The DOJ is requiring that a local government entity that receives funds from the FY 2017 JAG award must:
1. Permit personnel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to access any correctional or detention facility in order to meet with an alien (or an individual believed to be an alien) and inquire as to his or her right to be or remain in the United States and;
2. Provide at least 48 hours’ advance notice to DHS regarding the scheduled release date and time of an alien in the jurisdiction’s custody when DHS requests such notice in order to take custody of the alien pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Bexar County, acting as the Fiscal Agent for this grant, will be responsible for submitting the grant application and all certifications, the administration of the funds, including distributing the funds, monitoring the award, submitting reports including performance measures and program assessment data.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing sexual abuse/assault of children.
ALTERNATIVES:
Other than the General Fund there is no other alternative funding source. Currently, the grant pays salaries and fringe benefits for two Detective Investigator positions. Choosing not to renew this grant will require the General Fund to absorb these positions at a time when budget austerity would make this difficult.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total joint program budget for the City and Bexar County from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2020 is $681,485.00. The City's portion will be $272,594.00 during the same period. A General Fund cash match of $8,896.00 is required to make up the total cost of the two Detectives assigned to this program during the grant period. The cash match will be available from the General Fund through the police operating budget for FY 2018 contingent on FY 2018 budget approval.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the acceptance of the grant funds and the execution of an Interlocal Agreement to continue funding two Police Detective Investigator positions to conduct child sexual abuse/assault investigations.