Agenda Item # 9
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
7/25/2017
Agenda Report # 16
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Solicitor General Supplemental VOCA Grant For Operating Expenditures
INITIATED BY: Solicitor General?s Victim Witness Assistance Program
Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize the Solicitor
General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and, if approved, accept an
additional Federal VOCA Grant of $12,928, or as otherwise awarded, from the
Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to help defray operating expenses
of the Victim Assistance Office, with no cash local match required, and amend
the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount awarded.
Background: The Office of the Solicitor General operates a Crime Victim
Assistance Program and has been awarded a Federal Victims of Crime Act
Assistance Grant Program (hereinafter referred to as ?VOCA?) grant for
approximately 20 years. We are requesting additional VOCA funding to provide
for much-needed additional operating expenditures to assist the Solicitor
General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program.
Analysis: The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has allocated additional
VOCA Grant Funding. Such grants must be submitted by July 17, 2017. The
Solicitor General?s Office has been encouraged by the Prosecuting Attorneys?
Council of Georgia to submit applications for this additional grant money that
only recently opened up.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There will be no annual fiscal
impact as a result of awarding this grant. The operating expenses will help
advocates obtain the training they need and cover additional operating expenses
that would otherwise have to be covered by the Solicitor General?s Operating
Budget.
Legal Considerations: Georgia Law requires the Solicitor General provide
extensive services, information, and notification to crime victims pursuant to
O.C.G.A. Section 17-17-1 (Crime Victims' Bill of Rights). The Solicitor
General is solely and directly responsible for complying with this law as
mandated by the Crime Victims? Bill of Rights.
Recommendations/Actions: Approval is requested to authorize the Solicitor
General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and, if approved, accept an
additional Federal VOCA Grant of $12,928, or as otherwise awarded, from the
Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to help defray operating expenses
of the Victim Assistance Office, with no cash local match required, and amend
the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount awarded.
A RESOLUTION
NO. ______
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR GENERAL TO ACCEPT A VOCA GRANT AWARD OF
$12,928 OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED TO OPERATE THE SOLICITOR GENERAL?S VICTIM
WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM OCTOBER 1, 2017 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2018. THERE
IS NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED AND THE MULTI GOVERNMENTAL FUND WILL BE AMENDED BY
THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD.
WHEREAS, the Solicitor-General designed a Victim Witness Assistance Program in
1997, which specially address the needs of misdemeanor crime victims; and,
WHEREAS, the funds are requested to finance Operating expense and budget of the
Solicitor-General?s Victim Witness Assistance Program to provide services
mandated by Georgia Law; and,
WHEREAS, the Solicitor-General is requesting the acceptance of a $12,928 or
otherwise awarded Federal Grant; and,
WHEREAS, if accepted, Federal grant monies will reimburse the City for
operating expense.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to accept a Grant funds for the
Solicitor General?s Victim/Witness Assistance program from VOCA, a Federal
grant, an Amend the Multi Governmental Fund (0216) to reflect the revenue and
expenses.
_________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
_________ day of ____________ 2017, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett 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
Attachments
No attachments for this document.