DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application, and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000.00, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000.00, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), for a Hiring Program grant, and authorizing a General Fund contribution of $9,428,633.00 establishing a budget and a personnel complement of 25 Uniform City Positions for the period October 2020 through September 2024, contingent upon budget approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and funds salary and benefits approved by the COPS Office expenses over a three (3) year grant period. Under the updated CHP there is a maximum of $125,000.00 per officer over the 3-year period. There is a minimum 25% cash match required. Funds can begin to be expended as soon as notification is received. Part of the grant agreement is that the Department will retain officers hired under the grant for a minimum of 12 months after funding has ended.
This project will add up to 25 new police officer positions to the Department. Officers will be assigned to address violent crime, specifically domestic violence, through augmenting the Department’s Crisis Response Teams. This action continues the Department’s commitment to address violent crime/domestic violence through traditional policing as well as innovative strategies which provide services and resources to victims.
The grant funds do not pay for equipment, overtime, and in the case of this Department, retiree's prepaid health insurance, and leave buyback. The grant period is estimated to begin on October 1, 2020 for a 3 year period, and include a commitment to retain the officers for one (1) year after the grant end, with the program ending around September 30, 2024. The actual award start date will be specified in the award letter if the City of San Antonio is awarded the grant. Matching funds will be submitted as part of the FY 2021 Budget Process and acceptance of the grant will be contingent upon approval of the $9,428,633.00 grant match.
Prior year COPS Hiring Grant awards include:
• FY2018 - $3,125,000.00 for 25 Officers to address violent gun crime.
• FY2016 - $500,000.00 for 4 Officers to augment the Mental health Unit
• FY2010 - $10,354,400.00 for 50 Officers to enhance Patrol Services
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of applying for financial assistance from outside sources for law enforcement programs addressing criminal activity in the community, and it continues the enhancement of community policing.
ALTERNATIVES:
This grant provides an opportunity for the City to have the Federal government fund a portion of 25 new police officers for a period of four years.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the submission and acceptance of funds upon reward, not to exceed $3,125,000, to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to fund 25 officer positions. The estimated cost for this grant is $12,553,663.00 of which the City will contribute $9,428,633.00 from the Police Operating Budget for the period beginning October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2024 contingent upon budget approval. Of the $12,553,633.00, the estimated City General Fund cost is:
• FY21 - $1,637,923.00
• FY22 - $2,018,518.00
• FY23 - $2,493,975.00
• FY24 - $3,278,217.00
Costs are based on the assumption that, if awarded, the grant will fund 25 Police Officer positions. This grant requires the city to fund a portion of the grant for the three year period and requires the City to fully fund the officers for a fourth year. Matching funds will be submitted as part of the FY 2021 Budget Process and acceptance of the grant will be contingent upon approval of the $9,428,633.00 grant match. Future year cash matches are subject to council appropriation.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the submission, and if awarded the acceptance, of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Grant.