To

Mayor and Council

Subject

2015-2016 VOCA Continuation Grant

Initiator

District Attorney/Victim-Witness Assistance Program

Recommendation

Approval is requested to authorize the District Attorney/Victim-Witness \n \n Assistance Program to submit and if approved, accept a grant for $84,138 from \n \n the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council along with $21,035 from the \n \n 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund allocated in the FY16 Budget to provide funding \n \n for Crime Victim Assistance in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit from October \n \n 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Along with an additional In-Kind Match of $5,328 \n \n to be contributed by volunteer hours, it is requested that the \n \n multi-governmental fund be amended by the amount awarded plus the local match.

Approval

Pending

Background

In July of 1989, the Office of the District Attorney began operating a Crime

Victim Assistance Program. In October of 1992, the Victim-Witness Assistance

Program was awarded the first Crime Victim Assistance Grant, thereby broadening

the program for the provision of basic services. In July of 1995, additional

funds were received from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund, thus allowing the

program to expand services to the 6 counties within the Chattahoochee Judicial

Circuit. Successful grant allocations since that time have sustained the

program. Although understaffed, the office currently employs a Victim Services

Director and 6 advocates.

Analysis

For FY16, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has allocated $84,138 to

Muscogee County Government to support the Victim-Witness Assistance Program for

the grant year October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. The Criminal Justice

Coordinating Council requires a 20% match and 25% of that (which is $5,328)

must come in the form of volunteer hours specified as In-Kind contributions.

The District Attorney requests Council?s authorization to utilize $21,035 from

the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds, which is the minimum 20% match required.

The total amount of $110,501 represents 73% of the operating budget for

salaries and wages of three full-time victim advocates with benefits and one

part-time victim advocate without benefits.

Financial Considerations

: The grant total of $110,501 is made up of the Federal allocation of $84,138

along with $21,035 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund and $5,328 from the

required In-Kind Match in the form of volunteer hours.



Grant Funded Crime Victim Advocates

- VICTIM ADVOCATE #1 (Full-Time):

? Salary - $33,602

? FICA - $1,755

? Medical Insurance ? $5,650

? Retirement - $4,536

? Life Insurance - $168

? Workman?s Comp - $411

- VICTIM ADVOCATE #2 (Full-Time):

? Salary - $33,602

? FICA - $1,870

? Medical Insurance - $5,650

? Retirement - $4,536

? Life Insurance - $168

? Workman?s Comp ? $438

- VICTIM ADVOCATE #3 (Full-Time):

? Salary - $33,602

? FICA - $2,083

? Medical Insurance ? Opted Out - $0

? Retirement - $4,536

? Life Insurance - $168

? Workman?s Comp - $487

VICTIM ADVOCATE #4 (Part-Time):

? Hourly ($15.00)

? 20 Hours per Week

? $15,600 per grant year

? FICA - $967

? Workman?s Comp - $226

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

There will be no annual fiscal impact as a result of awarding this grant.

Legal Considerations

Georgia Law requires the District Attorney provide extensive services,

information and notification to crime victims (O.C.G.A.-17-17-1). The District

Attorney is solely and directly responsible for complying with this law as

mandated by the Victims? Bill of Rights. Legislature acknowledges that this

mandate places additional burdens on prosecutors and have designed laws

enabling utilization of the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund to assist in easing

said burdens.

Recommendations/ Actions

Authorize submission and, if approved, acceptance of a grant in the amount of

$84,838 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, to continue the

Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. This

action will provide 74% total funding for three (3) full time Victim Advocate

positions and one (1) part time Victim Advocate position for the

2015-2016-Grant year.

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