Agenda Item # 10
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
07/26/2016
Agenda Report # 18
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2016-17 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Competitive Grant #3
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
$45,776 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council along with $8,583 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 $2,861 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 $45,776 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% match that
totals $11,444 and a portion will be cash ($8,583) and 25% (which is $2,861)
must be in the form of volunteer hours specified as In-Kind contributions. The
District Attorney requests Council?s authorization to utilize $8,583 from the
5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds, which is the required cash match.
The total amount of $57,220 represents the salary, benefits and match for one
full-time Victim Advocate position to provide direct services to crime victims
in all 6 counties of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.
Grant Funded Victim Advocate ? Full-time $57,220
Financial Considerations: The total award figure of $57,220 represents salary,
benefits and match for a full time position. The Federal allocation is $45,776
along with $8,583 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund and $2,861 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 $45,776 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council, along with $8,583 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund, in order to
provide direct services to crime victims throughout the Chattahoochee Judicial
Circuit. This action will provide the funding for at least the next three years
in the form of an annual continuation grant.
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 $45,776
FROM THE GEORGIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL ALONG WITH $8,583 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
$2,861 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 $45,776 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 $8,583
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 $45,776 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council along
with $8,583 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 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.