Agenda Item # 6
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
05/22/2012
Agenda Report # 055
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Grant - Adult Felony Drug Court
INITIATED BY: Superior Court
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and, if
approved, accept a three year grant of $300,000 from the Department of Justice
to operate 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 three year period of $100,000 for a total of
$400,000.
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 1435 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 78 Drug Courts in Georgia.
Our Drug Court Team was formed in October 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 Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts. DATE Funds , BJA Funds, Crime Commission
Funds and Byrne Funds. At present, we have 90 participants in the Adult Drug
Court Program. In order to continue expanding this program , 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 three year period.
Financial Considerations: Total program costs are estimated to be $400,000.
The federal portion will be $300,000, the local match will be $100,000. A
breakdown of estimated expenditures for each year are as follows:
Treatment 60 participants @ $850.00 each $ 51,000
Drugs Tests 60 participants @ $250 $ 15,000
Individual Counseling $ 9,000
Special Needs (dental, medical, health, evaluation & testing) $ 9,133
Residential 10 participants @ $1,900 $ 22,000
Program Evaluation (estimate) $ 4,000
Training - Required under grant guidelines for certification $ 23,200
Total Cost Per Year $133,333
We estimate that the program will have approximately 120 participants and that
40% (48 participants) will need a varying degrees of financial assistance for
treatment.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: A local match of $33,333 each year
for three years.
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 three year grant of $300,000 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 three year period of $100,000.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO SUBMIT AND, IF APPROVED, ACCEPT A $300,000 GRANT
FROM THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE OVER A THREE
YEAR PERIOD TO ENHANCE THE OPERATION OF 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 $100,000, ($33,333 PER 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 $300,000 in
federal funds over a three year period; and,
WHEREAS, the Adult Felony Drug Court Team was formed approximately four years
ago to oversee the operation of the Adult Drug Court Program; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Justice requires a match of $100,000 over a
three-year period.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
I.
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit and, if approved,
accept a grant from the U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice
Assistance for $300,000 to funds a three year enhancement program for the
Muscogee Adult Felony Drug Court; and,
II.
Amend the Multi-Governmental Fund Budget by a like amount and transfer
$100,000 over a three year period ($33,333 per year) 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 _____________, 2012 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 Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
____________________________ _________________________
Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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