The Sheriff and staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the authorization to advertise for a public hearing and adopt the authorized agent resolution for the grant application for the FFY 2019 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program – Local Solicitation

The JAG – Local Solicitation program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.  The grant application requires a 30-day governing body review.  In addition to the governing body review, the grant guidelines stipulate that the public be notified of the grant application as well as be provided with an opportunity to comment on the application.  Staff seeks approval to advertise for the public hearing meeting which will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. 

Spotsylvania County is eligible to receive $28,196. The Sheriff’s Office would like to utilize this funding towards the purchase of a wireless target system for firearms training.  Although the grant program does not require a local match, the cost of the equipment will exceed the available grant funds.  The Sheriff’s Office will make up the additional costs through use of their FY 2020 Adopted Budget, asset forfeitures funds, or a combination of these funding sources.  The grant does not allow for supplanting of local funds.  Since the 30-day governing body review and public comment period will not be completed by the application deadline date of August 23, 2019, the Bureau of Justice Assistance will add special conditions to the award that will withhold grant funds until documentation is provided confirming that the federal requirements have been met.  Staff requests that the attached authorized agent resolution be adopted in order to submit the application.

This is a request to submit a grant application; therefore, there is no financial impact at this time.  Once the application is approved the grant award will need to be reviewed and recommended for approval by County Administration, the County Attorney’s Office, and the Finance Committee before being submitted to the Board of Supervisors for their action.   The Board of Supervisors can accept or decline the award.

Sheriff Roger Harris, Sheriff’s Office; Major Carter Well, Sheriff’s Office; Captain Charles Carey, Sheriff’s Office; Annette D’Alessandro, Finance

Failure to apply for this grant opportunity will mean that the County will not receive the $28,196 that has been allocated to it through the Department of Justice’s JAG Local Solicitation funding formula.