Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Agenda Item#

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



07/26/2016

Agenda Report #

TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: 2016-17 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Competitive Grant #2

INITIATED BY: District Attorney/Victim-Witness Assistance Program

Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize the District Attorney?s

Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and if approved, accept a grant for

$38,589 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council along with $7,187 from

the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund allocated in the FY17 Budget to provide

funding for Crime Victim Assistance in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit from

October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017. Along with an additional In-Kind Match

of $2,460 to be contributed by volunteer hours, it is requested that the

multi-governmental fund be amended by the amount awarded plus the local match.

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 all 6 counties within the

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Successful grant allocations since that time

have sustained the program. Although still understaffed, the office currently

employs a Director of Victim Services and 7.5 Victim Advocates.

Analysis: If approved for FY17, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Georgia will

allocate $38,589 to Muscogee County Government to support the Victim-Witness

Assistance Program for the grant year October 1, 2016 through September 30,

2017. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council requires a 20% cash match

($7,187) and 25% of that (which is $2,460) must come in the form of volunteer

hours specified as In-Kind contributions. The District Attorney requests

Council?s authorization to utilize $7,187 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge

Funds, which is the required 20% match.

The total amount of $48,236 represents the salary and benefits for one

full-time Victim Advocate position to provide services to crime victims in the

outer 5 counties of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.

Grant Funded Victim Advocate ? Full-time

? Salary - $33,602

? FICA - $2,571

? Insurance ? $5,763

? Retirement - $3,360

? Workman?s Comp - $481





Financial Considerations: The new position total is $48,236 with the Federal

allocation of $38,589 along with $7,187 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund

and $2,460 from the required In-Kind Match in the form of volunteer hours.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: Due to the cash match coming from the

5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund, there will be no annual fiscal impact as a

result of 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 $38,589 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating

Council, along with $7,187 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund, in order to

provide services in the outer five counties. This action will provide the

funding for a Victim Advocate to be in place for at least the next three years.

RESOLUTION

NO._____



A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, ON BEHALF

OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND, IF APPROVED, TO ACCEPT A VOCA GRANT OF $38,589

FROM THE GEORGIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL ALONG WITH $7,187 FROM

THE 5% CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE SURCHARGE FUND ALLOCATED IN THE FY17 BUDGET, TO

PROVIDE FUNDING FOR CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE JUDICIAL

CIRCUIT FROM OCTOBER 1, 2016 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, AND, ALONG WITH THE

$2,460 IN-KIND MATCH, AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY LIKE AMOUNT.



WHEREAS, the District Attorney is requesting the acceptance of a VOCA Grant in

the amount of $38,589 to be allocated over a twelve-month period from the

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia to support innocent victims of

violent crime under the 1996 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), along with $7,187

from the 5% Crime Victim Assistance Surcharge Fund allocated in the FY17 Budget

for salaries and benefits; and,



WHEREAS, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council requires a minimum 20% of

the grant come in the form of a match and 25% of that be an In-Kind Match to be

met through the use of volunteers. Figures are based on a twelve-month period;

and,



WHEREAS, the funding will be used to enhance services as our office provides

services to crime victims throughout the six counties that make up the

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit;



WHEREAS, The District Attorney will continue to supervise the operation of the

Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit from

October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.



NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:



That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit and if approved,

accept a grant of $38,589 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating

Council along with $7,187 of the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds allocated in

the FY17 Budget to fund the Victim-Witness Assistance Program which will extend

over a twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2016 through September 30,

2017.

_____________________________



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the

___________ day of __________, 2016 and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of __________ members of said Council.





Councilor Allen voting __________.

Councilor Baker voting __________.

Councilor Barnes voting __________.

Councilor Garrett voting __________.

Councilor Davis voting __________.

Councilor Henderson voting __________.

Councilor Huff voting __________.

Councilor Thomas voting __________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.

Councilor Woodson voting __________.





_______________________________ __________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor







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