Grant Application Request for the FY18 Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant for Equipment

The Sheriff and staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the request to submit a grant application for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program for a patrol boat for Lake Anna. 

The Department of Criminal Justice Services has announced the availability of federal pass-through JAG funds to support law enforcement agencies’ efforts to upgrade technology and equipment, enhance officer recruitment and training, reduce opioid overdose deaths, and promote community safety. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to submit a grant application under the equipment category in order to purchase an upgraded patrol boat for Lake Anna.  An upgraded patrol boat would provide enhanced security near a nuclear power plant.  The new patrol boat would replace a current civilian model boat that was retrofitted for patrol purposes.  In comparison to the existing boat, the new patrol boat would be highly maneuverable and would be designed to aid in the retrieval of victims, animals, and objects from the water.  Due to the high sides of the existing boat, it is difficult to pull individuals, animals, and items from the lake.  This poses a safety hazard to both first responders and victims.

If approved, the Sheriff’s Office would request $50,000, the maximum allowable under this grant category, towards the purchase of a 21.5’ patrol boat.  It is estimated that the total cost for the patrol boat, accessories, instrumentation, law enforcement patrol upgrade, engine, trailer, and freight would be approximately $82,892.  Although there is no local match requirement, if awarded the Sheriff’s Office proposes to meet the costs above the grant award through the sale of the current retrofitted civilian boat and the use of their FY 2018 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget for vehicles.  It is estimated that the resale value of the existing boat is around $20,000 leaving an approximate amount of $12,892 that would be used from the existing FY 2018 CIP Budget.  It is anticipated that the property insurance costs would increase by an additional $100 annually.  The Sheriff’s Office anticipates that they can absorb this cost in their existing budget. 

The grant application deadline is February 23, 2018.  If awarded, the period of performance would be from April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018.

At this time there is no financial impact as this is a request to submit a grant application.  If awarded, the grant award would need to be reviewed and recommended by the Finance Office, County Attorney’s Office, County Administration, and Finance Committee before being presented to the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors for acceptance and appropriation.

Captain Roger Harris II, Sheriff’s Office

Annette D’Alessandro, Finance

Due to time constraints this item was not presented to the Finance Committee.   In addition to applying under the JAG Equipment category, the Sheriff’s Office also proposes to submit two other grant applications.  One application will be submitted under the Training category for specialized social media liability training.  The second  application will be submitted under the Staff category to develop a Peer Support team to assist law enforcement personnel to more effectively address crisis situations and the stresses associated with the profession.  There is no local match requirement and no additional ongoing costs after the grant award expires for these proposed projects.  Per the County’s Adopted Grants Policy, these two additional grant applications do not require Board of Supervisors’ approval to apply.  However, if awarded the acceptance and appropriation of the award would be presented to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration.