Title
District Attorney requesting the Board consider the following:
1) Formally accept the Fiscal Year 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and establish the revenue and appropriations for use of the grant award in the amount of $20,531 allowing the District Attorney's Office to hire extra help staff to assist with pre-filing investigations and allow staff to attend training classes offered by the California Homicide Investigators Association;
2) Ratify the Chief Administrative Officer's signature accepting the grant award effective October 2, 2012; and
3) Approve the budget transfer establishing the revenue and appropriations. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Justice Assistance Grant Program.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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20,531 |
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Budgeted
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New Funding
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20,531 |
Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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20,531 |
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Change To Net County Cost
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0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no net county cost for this program and no matching requirement. The attached budget transfer will establish both the revenue and appropriations for use of these funds.
Background/Reason for Recommendation
In May 2012 , the District Attorney's Office submitted an application for the 2012 JAG grant and in July 2012, received notification they were awarded $20,531 in JAG grant funds from the Department of Justice.
Upon receipt of the acceptance packet the Department noticed an error in the name of the addressee that identified City of Placerville Mayor Mark Acuna as the official authorized to sign the acceptance of the grant award.
Following multiple communications with the Department of Justice, the District Attorney's Office was directed to submit a Grant Adjustment Notice (GAN) to change the Authorized Signing Official from The Honorable Mark Acuna, Mayor, to Ms. Terri Daly, Chief Administrative Officer, County of El Dorado. Although the Department requested to have revised acceptance paperwork prepared, the Department of Justice was unable to comply with our request and instructed the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the document once the GAN was approved. The GAN was submitted on September 19, 2012 and approved by the Grant Manager on September 20, 2012. On October 2, 2012 the Acceptance Packet was signed by Chief Administrative Officer, Terri Daly.
In addition, after further review of the grant requirements the Department identified the notice of the intent to apply for the grant should have been made available for review by the governing body not fewer than 30 days prior to submitting an application. The Department of Justice instructed the District Attorney's office to place this item on the Board of Supervisors agenda to allow the public to comment on the item prior to officially accepting the grant award.
The 2012 JAG Grant will provide extra help staffing in addition to training for law enforcement personnel. Through the use of this grant award the department will be able to utilize extra help investigators to assist with pre-filing investigations in addition to sending department staff to training programs that would not otherwise be available.
One of the two approved training courses is the California Homicide Investigators Association (CHIA) in which four District Attorney's Office personnel will be able to attend conferences discussing issues surrounding the Michael Jackson dealth investigation, Cold Case DNA investigations, and the "Grim Sleeper" serial murder investigation. In addition to the conference is four (4) memberships to the CHIA, totaling $100. The membership, training and networking with other law enforcement agencies is invaluable when investigating and prosecuting homicide cases and with the recent advancement of DNA testing cold case homicide investigations that once sat dorment and are now being reviewed and actively prosecuted.
Lastly, one investigator will be attending the SGI Tactical Training Course which provides basic personal security instruction. Sending an investigator to this course will better prepare the Department to handle situations in which the safety of our law enforcement personnel is threatened.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
Chair to sign budget transfer and forward to the Auditors Office for posting.
Contact
Jodi Albin
Concurrences
County Counsel, Risk Management