Agenda Item # 8
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
11/27/2018
Agenda Report # 62
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2018-19 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Competitive Grant #3 One Time
Costs Request
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 funding
totaling $21,807 with the federal portion of $17,446 being awarded from the
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council along with $4,361 total match required of
which $3,271 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund allocated in the FY19
Budget to provide funding for Crime Victim Assistance in the Chattahoochee
Judicial Circuit from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019. Along with an
additional In-Kind Match of $1,090 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. The office currently employs 13.6 Victim Advocates;
twelve full-time, 3 part-time and one portion paid.
Analysis: If approved for FY19, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Georgia will
allocate $17,446 to Muscogee County Government to support the Victim-Witness
Assistance Program for the grant year January 1, 2019 through September 30,
2019. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council requires a 20% total match
($4,361) and there will be a cash portion ($3,271) and 25% of that portion
(which is $1,090) must come in the form of volunteer hours specified as In-Kind
contributions. The District Attorney requests Council?s authorization, if
approved, to utilize $3,271 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds, which is
the required cash match. The funds will be used for one-time purchases of
technology and security related items that have been approved by the Criminal
Justice Coordinating Council.
Grant Funded One Time Costs
Total Award 21,807
Federal Portion: 17,446
20% Match: 4,361
Cash Match: 3,271
In-Kind: 1,090
Total Award: 21,807
Financial Considerations: The grant total is $21,807 with the Federal
allocation of $17,446 along with $3,271 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund
and $1,090 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 because
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 $17,446 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council, along with $3,271 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund, in order to
enhance our ability to serve all crime victims and allow their participation in
the criminal justice system. This action will provide the funding a one-time
request for technology and security related items approved for purchase by the
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
A 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 $17,446
FROM THE GEORGIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL ALONG WITH $3,271 FROM
THE 5% CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE SURCHARGE FUND ALLOCATED IN THE FY19 BUDGET, AS
A ONE TIME GRANT TO PURCHASE TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY RELATED ITEMS FOR CRIME
VICTIM ASSISTANCE IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FROM JANUARY 1, 2019
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, AND, ALONG WITH THE $1,090 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 $17,446 to be allocated over a twelve-month period from the
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia to purchase technology and
safety related items in efforts to increase support for innocent victims of
violent crime under the 1996 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), along with $3,271
from the 5% Crime Victim Assistance Surcharge Fund allocated in the FY19 Budget
for the establishment of a Crime Victim Voucher Program; 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 with volunteers. Figures are based on a twelve-month period; and,
WHEREAS, the funding will be used to ensure crime victims are afforded the
chance to take part in the criminal justice proceedings concerning their
victimization; and,
WHEREAS, The District Attorney will continue to supervise the operation of the
Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit from
January 1, 2019 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 $17,446 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council along
with $3,271 of the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds allocated in the FY19 Budget
to fund the Victim-Witness Assistance Program which will extend over a
twelve-month period beginning January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor House voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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