For City Council Meeting January 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to 1) Adopt Resolution No. 8314 Amending the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget; 2) Accept the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the Amount of $36,200; and 3) Authorize the City Manager or his Designee to Execute all Documents Associated with This Grant. This Grant Requires no Local City Match.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
(1) Adopt a Resolution amending the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget; and
(2) Accept the FY2024 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $36,200; and
(3) Authorize the Interim City Manager or designee to execute all documents associated with this grant.
BACKGROUND
Named after Edward “Eddie” R. Byrne, an Officer in the New York City Police Department who was murdered while protecting a witness in a drug case, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the JAG Program provides states, territories, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas.
In prior years, all entities in San Bernardino County, including the City of Rialto, applied for JAG funds as part of a disparate group under a single application which was submitted by San Bernardino County. However, starting in 2024, all jurisdictions, including the City of Rialto, must apply independently for their funding allocation.
The City of Rialto has successfully applied for and has been awarded $36,200 for the 2024 fiscal year.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
JAG funding provides flexibility to local governments in utilizing funds for criminal justice priorities. Eligible activities include:
• Law Enforcement Programs
• Prosecution and Court Programs
• Prevention and Education Programs
• Corrections and Community Corrections Programs
• Drug Treatment Programs
• Crime Victim and Witness Programs (other than compensation)
• Planning, Evaluation, and Technology Improvement Programs
The City of Rialto will use the awarded $36,200 to support critical law enforcement needs. Specifically, these funds will be allocated toward equipment, personnel support, and/or technical systems improvements that align with the City’s public safety objectives.
The acceptance of this grant will enable the City of Rialto to enhance its policing capabilities, improve public safety, and continue addressing crime prevention efforts effectively.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making.
Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto has outlined key goals and objects relating to public safety. The acceptance of this grant is consistent with meeting these objectives.
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report and resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Accepting the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) will increase revenue in the amount of $36,200 to be appropriated in the JAG Revenue Account No. 22136803 47540 24JAG-35, and offsetting increase of expenditures in the amount of $36,200 in the Account No. 22136803 53030 24JAG-07, for the expenditures associated with the purchase of equipment for this grant award.
This grant requires no local City match.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not trigger a requirement for a business license.