AGENDA #2a
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Bureau of Justice Assistance Block Grant
DATE: October 8, 2003
The attached resolution would authorize the acceptance of a local law enforcement block grant from the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $28,526. The attached budget ordinance would amend the current General Fund budget to account for this grant.
BACKGROUND
In June of 2003, the Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the availability of funds for law enforcement agencies in the form of block grants. These funds were specifically earmarked to provide funding for training and equipment to focus primarily on Domestic Preparedness, Anti-Terrorism and Homeland Security. On August 26, 2003, the Police Department submitted a grant application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance. On September 11, 2003, the Department was notified that the grant request had been approved for $28,526.
DISCUSSION
This year’s block grant provides local law enforcement agencies funding for training and equipment to focus primarily on Domestic Preparedness, Anti-Terrorism and Homeland Security. Funding through the block grant is available to the Town immediately upon acceptance of the grant. A match of $3,170 is required from the Town. This match can be provided through the Police Department operating budget.
The Town must meet three requirements before the funds can be obligated.
1) An advisory board consisting of representatives from the local school system, the District Attorney’s office, the local court system, and a community crime prevention group must review the grant application and make non-binding recommendations about the proposed uses of the grant funds. Those recommendations were received earlier this month.
2) A public hearing must be held to allow citizens an opportunity to express their views on the use of the grant funds. That hearing was held earlier this evening.
3) The Town must accept the grant by returning a signed acceptance form to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Law Enforcement Block Grant, and enact the attached budget ordinance establishing a Law Enforcement Block Grant project.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2003 (2003-10-08/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2003” as duly adopted on June 9, 2003 be and the same is hereby amended as follows:
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ARTICLE I |
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APPROPRIATIONS |
Current Budget |
Increase |
Decrease |
Revised Budget |
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GENERAL FUND |
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Police |
9,749,452 |
28,526 |
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9,777,978 |
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ARTICLE II |
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REVENUES |
Current Budget |
Increase |
Decrease |
Revised Budget |
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GENERAL FUND |
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Grants |
543,120 |
28,526 |
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562,646 |
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A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT (2003-10-08/R-1)
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance have made funds available to enhance the quality of law enforcement services provided to local communities; and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Law Enforcement Block Grant application in the amount of $28,526 was approved by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and
WHEREAS, the block grant funds would be used to provide training and equipment to focus primarily on Domestic Preparedness, Anti-Terrorism and Homeland Security;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to accept the Bureau of Justice Assistance Law Enforcement Block Grant and to make all necessary assurances.
This the 8th day of October, 2003.