AGENDA DATE: 12/5/2018
TITLE:
Title
Board Chair Grant Application Authority
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: To authorize the Board Chair to execute Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Certifications and Assurances
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Lantz, Allshouse L., Bittle
PRESENTER (S): Holly Bittle
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: For the past five years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has provided grant funds through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. As of July 26, 2018, the DOJ changed its policy and now considers the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to be the “Chief Executive of the Applicant Unit of Local Government.” This is a change from previous years when the County Executive’s signature was sufficient for these grant-related documents.
The County intends to apply for Edward Byrne JAG Program grants at least annually. The funding from these grants provides additional resources to the Albemarle County Police Department’s Community Support Services Division to develop, often working directly with citizens, overtime projects and activities involving problem solving, crime prevention, community relationship building and safety enhancement. To comply with the DOJ, the Chair of the Board of Supervisors is required to sign the Certifications and Assurances that must be submitted with any grant application.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: To ensure the County is well-positioned to apply for and accept these grants, it is important to have an efficient administrative process in place to meet the tight timetables associated with these funding opportunities. Because of potential delays caused by the timing of Board meetings, it is important that the Board Chair be authorized by the Board to execute future Edward Byrne JAG Program grant documents on behalf of the County. The Board will continue to make the final decision regarding the use of any grant funding received through the appropriation process. The Board’s approval of the attached Resolution will provide authorization for the Chair (and/or the County Executive in the event the DOJ’s policy changes in the future) to sign Certifications and Assurances for all future grants from the Edward Byrne JAG Program after the County Attorney approves the grant documents as to substance and form.
BUDGET IMPACT: Signature on the Certifications and Assurances related to the Edward Byrne JAG Program grants results in the potential receipt of grant funds for its Community Policing Program each year.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the Board Chair and/or the County Executive to sign Certifications and Assurances, and other documents as required for all future grants from the Edward Byrne JAG Program after the County Attorney approves the grant documents as to substance and form.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Resolution