Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item # 1



Columbus Consolidated Government



Council Meeting



12/06/2005



Agenda Report # 68



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: United States Department of Justice Grant



INITIATED BY: Police Department





Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if

approved accept a Co-Operative Agreement from the United States Department of

Justice for the Columbus Police Department Gang Resistance Education and

Training Program known as The G.R.E.A.T. Program. The amount of the grant is

$102,340 to make purchases to operate the G.R.E.A.T. Program. Authorization

is also requested to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the

grant.

Background: The Grant period is January 16, 2005? January 15, 2006. The

purpose of this Grant is to establish a legal relationship between the United

States Department of Justice and the Columbus Police Department. This Grant

sets forth the responsibilities for the operation of the gang prevention

program known as Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.). The

G.R.E.A. T. Program is in its ninth year of operation and the sixth year of

participating in the Grant.

Analysis: The program provides 100% funding. The Grant requests approval to

operate the G.R.E.A.T. program. Locally the Police Department Budget Office

will manage the Grant. This is the sixth year of the grant program. The local

jurisdiction application must be revised annually.

Financial Considerations: The proposed resolution will authorize the acceptance

of, $102,340 of Federal funds. As provided in the charter and state law,

only Council has the authority to change spending levels. This grant was not

anticipated in the FY06 Multi-governmental Fund. The fund needs to be

amended to set up appropriations for expenditures since the financial system

will only along expenditures to be made if budget is available.



Legal Considerations: Approval of contacts will obligate the City to all

conditions of the grant's award.



Recommendation! Action: Approve the acceptance of funding from the United

States Department of Justice. Amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount

of the grant.