October 26, 2004
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF FY2004/2005 BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is making available a grant of $11,528 for FY 2004/2005 to Sunnyvale through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) to reduce crime and improve public safety. The City provides required matching funds (approximately $1,281) from the General Fund. Staff recommends Council accept the full amount available from the BJA/LLEBG program. Estimates of the grant and matching funds (based on FY 2003/2004 allocations) were included in the adopted budget for FY 2004/2005 Police Services Augmentation Fund, in the LLEBG Sub Fund, but at higher amounts than the current grant award. The funding difference of $16,077 will be absorbed through the use of the Police Service Augmentation Fund reserve balance.
BACKGROUND
Since FY 1996/1997 the City of Sunnyvale has received supplemental law enforcement funding from the federal and state governments to reduce crime and improve public safety. As previously approved by Council, this funding provided for the employment of a Patrol Watch Commander (Public Safety Captain I) and partial funding for two Internal Affairs Investigations Lieutenants.
DISCUSSION
Acceptance of the FY 2004/2005 BJA/LLEBG award will allow the continued provision for partial funding support for one Patrol Watch Commander. In addition to the BJA/LLEBG award, further funding is provided to the City by the State in accordance with the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS-SLES) program.
The City has experienced a significant decline in the level of grant revenue received from the BJA/LLEBG program. Revenue receipts from the BJA/LLEBG program have declined by approximately 84% since their peak in FY 1998/1999.
FISCAL IMPACT
The LLEBG amount of $25,997 was included in the FY 2004/2005 approved budget, along with a General Fund match of $2,889. The actual grant award of $11,528 creates a funding differential of $16,077 from the planned amount. This difference will be absorbed through the use of the Police Service Augmentation Fund reserve balance leaving approximately $500 in the fund.
Please note that continuation of the Public Safety Captain position is contingent upon funds being appropriated each year by the state and federal governments. Any further decrease in these revenues would result in a proportionate decrease in services and expenditures.
PUBLIC CONTACT
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, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.
ALTERNATIVES