Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
02/12/2013
Agenda Report # 27
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: U. S. Department of Justice - Adult Felony Drug Court
Enhancement Grant
INITIATED BY: Dayna Solomon, Accountability Courts Coordinator, Superior Court
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit and, if approved, accept a two
year grant of $200,000 from the Department of Justice for the operation of the
Muscogee County Adult Felony Drug Court and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund
for the awarded/approved amount of the federal portion and a local match for
the two year period of $50,000 for a total of $250,000.
Background: The emergence of crack cocaine in the mid-1980's has had an
unprecedented and dramatic impact on the Nation's criminal justice system. The
influx of drug offenders into the system has severely strained the court's
ability to dispose of the massive number of cases. In 1989, troubled by the
devastating impact of drugs and drug-related crimes on their criminal justice
system, several communities began experimenting with an approach to low-level
drug offenses that brought significant changes to the way the court system does
business. The new approach integrated substance abuse treatment, sanctions and
provide incentives with case processing to place nonviolent drug-involved
defendants in judicially supervised treatment programs.
Since 1989, more than 1000 courts have implemented a drug court to address the
problem of substance abuse and drug related crime. Congress joined local
communities in acknowledging the promise of drug courts to rehabilitate
offenders, hold offenders accountable for their actions, and reduce
victimization by intervening soon after arrest. The Adult Drug Courts help
reduce recidivism and substance abuse among nonviolent offenders and increase
an offender's likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early,
continuous, and judicially supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug
testing, community supervision, and appropriate sanctions and incentives.
There are 100 Adult Drug Courts in Georgia.
Our Drug Court Team was formed in February of 2007 and has been working to
develop an effective Drug Court Program for our government. Our team has been
involved in training, attending conferences and reviewing the operation of
other drug courts in Georgia. We are utilizing grant funds from the Criminal
Justice Coordinating Council ($209,000). DATE Funds ($12,000) and a Byrne
Grant ($9,000), At present, we have 98 participants in the Adult Drug Court
Program. In order to expand this program and add additional elements, the
court will need additional funding.
Analysis: The Muscogee County Adult Drug Court has a positive effect on
substance abusers, their families and the community at large by reducing drug
usage, reducing criminal activity and encouraging participants to become
productive members of society. It provides an opportunity for individuals to
recover from addiction, raise their self esteem, and give hope for the future.
The funding for this program will be for a two year period.
Financial Considerations: Total program costs are estimated to be $250,000.
The federal portion will be $200,000 and the local match will be $50,000. A
breakdown of estimated expenditures is as follows:
Special Needs and Office Supplies $ 34,000
Equipment (Laptops, cell phones) $ 11,375
Consultants/ Contract Services (residential treatment, ankle monitoring,
recovery support services) $163,245
Training - Required under grant guidelines for certification $ 41,380
Total Cost Per Year $250,000
We estimate that the program will have approximately 150 participants and that
40% (60 participants) will need a varying degree of financial assistance for
treatment.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The Columbus Consolidated Government
is not obligated to continue funding this program once grant funds have been
expended.
Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government is the legal entity
authorized to accept funding for this program.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to submit and, if
approved, accept a two year grant of $200,000 from the U. S. Department of
Justice for the operation of the Muscogee County Adult Drug Court and amend the
Multi-Governmental Fund for the awarded/approved amount of the federal portion
and a local match for the two year period of $50,000.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ,THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND IF
APPROVED ACCEPT A $200,000 GRANT FROM THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BUREAU
OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD TO ENHANCE THE OPERATING THE
ADULT FELONY DRUG COURT IN MUSCOGEE COUNTY AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL
FUND BUDGET BY A LIKE AMOUNT AND AUTHORIZE A TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF
$50,000 YEAR AS A LOCAL CASH MATCH .
WHEREAS, funds have been made available from the U. S. Department of Justice
for enhancing adult drug courts; and,
WHEREAS, the Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible for up to $200,000 in
federal funds over a two year period; and,
WHEREAS, the Adult Felony Drug Court Team was formed approximately five years
ago to oversee the operation of the Adult Drug Court Program; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Justice requires a match of $50,000 over a two-year
period.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
I.
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application
and, if approved, accept a grant from the U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau
of Justice Assistance for $200,000 to funds a two year enhancement program for
the Muscogee Adult Felony Drug Court; and,
II.
Amend the Multi-Governmental Fund Budget by a like amount and transfer
$50,000.00 over a two year period from the General Fund Contingency Budget as a
local match.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2013 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments
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