Since FY 1996/1997, Sunnyvale has received Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) monies from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance to supplement front line municipal law enforcement services.

This fiscal year, all local jurisdictions eligible for funding have been asked by the Santa Clara County Executive to enter into a distribution agreement to share 22.5% of FY 2002/2003 allocations for the continued employment of two (2) investigators in the Office of the District Attorney. The investigators will be assigned on a full-time basis to the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team, a countywide task force dealing with sexual predators.

The Santa Clara County Police Chiefs Association has voted in favor of the sharing agreement, and the County Executive requests the same from local grant recipients.

Each eligible local jurisdiction must forward a written concurrence in favor of the sharing agreement to the County Executive (Attachment A). Local jurisdictions cannot apply for LLEBG funding until the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) approves the sharing agreement. The window for BJA approval and submission of local jurisdictions’ requests is small – from June 5, 2002 through July 17, 2002.

Staff recommends approval of the Sharing Agreement, which will allow us to proceed with the funding application process.

Since the establishment of the LLEBG Sub-Fund in FY 1996/1997, Sunnyvale has been eligible to receive LLEBG funding to reduce crime and improve public safety. In order to receive funding Sunnyvale must 1) apply for funding to the BJA by July 17, 2002, 2) provide a 10% General Fund match, and 3) request approval by Council to appropriate funding.

For the fourth successive fiscal year, the County of Santa Clara has asked its local jurisdictions to approve a sharing agreement to release 22.5% of local funding. The justification for the request is based on the following premises: 1) that a funding disparity exists between the County’s allocation and that of its multiple municipalities, 2) the County bears more than 50% of prosecution or incarceration costs arising from Part I violent crimes reported by the municipalities, and 3) current funding allocated under the LLEBG program would threaten the efficient administration of justice within the County.

The proposed sharing agreement is summarized as follows:

• Local jurisdictions will share with the County of Santa Clara 22.5% (or $109,963) of the $488,726 that the BJA will allocate in county LLEBG monies in FY 2002/2003;
• Sunnyvale’s share of the award shall be reduced by 22.5% from $43,465 to $33,685.
• The County will continue to employ two (2) District Attorney's investigators assigned to the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force;
• The term of the agreement is for FY 2002/2003 only. Based on past experience, however, it is likely that the County will continue to pursue sharing arrangements should disparate funding situations exist in the future;
• Each eligible local jurisdiction must forward to the County Executive a written concurrence for the agreement signed by the City Manager or City Council.

LLEBG Funds have been budgeted for FY 2002/2003 at $40,503. This was staff's best estimate at the time the budget was prepared. The final allocation of $33,685 is $6,818 1ess than budget. The difference will be taken out of the 20-year RAP. It is anticipated there will be no reserves remaining at the end of FY 2002/2003.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the city's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the city's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

Staff recommends Alternative 1.

Prepared by:

Michael Honey
Administrative Assistant, Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by: