Agenda Item # 10
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
7/25/2017
Agenda Report # 17
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Solicitor General VOCA Supplemental Award for Personnel
INITIATED BY: Solicitor General?s Victim Witness Assistance Program
Recommendation: (A) Approval is requested to authorize the Solicitor
General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and, if approved, accept an
additional Federal VOCA Grant of $44,843, or as otherwise awarded, from the
Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and amend the Multi-governmental
Fund by the amount awarded, with no cash local match required.
(B) Approval is requested to create a new position of Victim Advocate in the
Office of the Solicitor General Victim-Witness Assistance Program, with the
salary and benefits of said position to be fully funded pursuant to said grant
and said position contingent upon receipt of future grant funding in subsequent
federal fiscal years.
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 a much-needed additional Victim Advocate.
We currently have one Victim Advocate and a Director. We cannot cover all the
courts necessary to supply adequate services to our victims. We currently are
responsible for covering 18 court sessions per week, (including State Court,
Recorder?s Court, and Municipal Court). We provide 2,000 to 3,000 Victim
Services per quarter. We do not have enough Victim Advocates to cover all
these court sessions, initiate contact with victims earlier in the criminal
justice process, and conduct adequate education and community outreach.
Additionally, a Spanish language advocate would be extremely helpful.The
Solicitor General requests approval of this grant application to create a new,
full time Victim Advocate position using the said grant money to fund the
position at a salary of $36,000 with benefits as follows: FICA $2,754; Health
$5,900; Life $180; GG Retirement $0; TOTAL $44,843. Volunteer hours will be
used to meet the matching requirement of said grant.
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 Victim Advocate position's
salary would be $36,000, plus benefits - which will be fully funded by the
grant. Funding in subsequent years will be contingent upon subsequent grant
funding.
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. The need for an additional
Victim Advocate to work with crime victims earlier in the criminal justice
process, essentially prior to or at the defendant?s first appearance, is
greatly needed. Our office is currently understaffed and has one Victim
Advocate to assist numerous crime victims. The addition of this Victim
Advocate position will greatly enhance our ability to serve our community's
misdemeanor crime victims.
Recommendations/Actions: (A) Approval is requested to authorize the Solicitor
General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and, if approved, accept an
additional Federal VOCA Grant of $44,843, or as otherwise awarded, from the
Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and amend the Multi-governmental
Fund by the amount awarded, with no cash local match required.
(B) Approval is requested to create a new position of Victim Advocate in the
Office of the Solicitor General Victim-Witness Assistance Program, with the
salary and benefits of said position to be fully funded pursuant to said grant
and said position contingent upon receipt of future grant funding in subsequent
federal fiscal years.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR GENERAL TO ACCEPT A VOCA GRANT AWARD OF
$44,843 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 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 personnel 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 $44,843 or
otherwise awarded Federal Grant Award. Also approval to create a new position
beginning October 1, 2017; and,
WHEREAS, if accepted, Federal grant monies will reimburse the City for salary,
and benefits for the excluding applicable Federal and State taxes.
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
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