HomeMy WebLinkAboutApprove Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Application
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Mark Tymrak, Director of Public Safety & Police and
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
Program Application Review and Approval
MEETING DATE: May 11, 2009
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Bozeman Police Department’s JAG application.
BACKGROUND: Bozeman Police Department is eligible for an allocation of
$65,700 through the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
Program to assist local efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence. Bozeman Police
Department intends to apply the funds toward an electronic ticketing system. Electronic ticketing
will increase patrol and court efficiency, which will enhance safety for both officers and citizens.
The Commission is asked to review the attached program narrative and approve the application,
which must be submitted by May 18th.
FISCAL EFFECTS: The JAG Program allocation will provide all funding necessary to
procure the electronic ticketing system and no matching funds are required.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Report compiled on: May 6, 2009
Attached Documents: JAG Program Narrative
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Recovery Act: Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program
Attachment 1- Program Narrative
Proposed Program Activities
The City of Bozeman Police Department (BPD) is requesting FY 2009 Local Justice Assistance
Grant funding to purchase electronic ticketing system equipment at a cost of $63,042. The
system will be used by the officers of the BPD. The electronic ticketing system will:
· Allow officers to electronically process traffic citations safely and efficiently;
· Provide immediate access to law enforcement records and frequently used report forms in
the field;
· Avoid duplication of effort by officers and the courts by eliminating repetitive hand-
written documentation;
· Allows officers to use time more efficiently, while increasing patrol presence in the field.
Project Objectives
The purchase and implementation of an electronic ticketing system will help BPD meet two
primary objectives. The first objective is to increase officer efficiency in the field. Efficiency will
be enhanced by eliminating repetitive hand-written documentation during the process of issuing
citations, particularly when multiple citations must be completed for a single individual. If our
expectations are met, the equipment will drastically cut the time officers spend replicating report
writing and other hand-written tasks.
The second objective is to increase both officer and citizen safety. The electronic ticketing
system will allow officers to perform the majority of their office duties in the patrol cars, which
increases patrol presence on the streets and serves to deter traffic violations. Safety is also
enhanced because officers will be able to rapidly access law enforcement records remotely.
Furthermore, the touch screen options available through electronic ticketing systems help
officers maintain visual contact with the suspect while writing citations.
Organization Capabilities and Competencies
The City of Bozeman Accounting Division provides accounting and financial services to the
Bozeman Police Department. They are responsible for maintaining the financial integrity of
accounting records, transactions, and systems for all departments. Among many duties, the
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Accounting Division bills reimbursements from federal, state, and local grantor agencies and
assures expenditures are in compliance with appropriation and budgetary constraints. The
Accounting Division ensures the City’s financial records are maintained in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and prepares a Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report (CAFR) for each fiscal year. This JAG grant will be used for a one time purchase of an
electronic ticketing system. The purchase must comply with the City’s purchasing policy, which
will be verified by the City Controller in the Accounting Division.
Economic Benefits
Bozeman Police Department will immediately purchase, install, and deploy the electronic
ticketing system once the JAG allocation is approved and the grant agreement is signed. The
investment will provide a direct economic stimulus in the public safety technology
manufacturing sector.
Timeline
FY 2010
1. BPD will bid and purchase equipment within two months of JAG project approval.
2. Equipment will be installed within two months of purchase.
3. Patrol will be trained to effectively use equipment within one month of installation.
4. Once equipment is installed and officers are trained, performance measures will be
monitored quarterly, which will require approximately six months from the date of
project approval.
FY 2011 to FY 2013
1. The performance measures will be monitored on a quarterly basis and submitted with
financial reports by the primary point of contact.
2. A final report will be submitted by the primary point of contact in FY 2013.
Performance Measures
Bozeman Police Department will fully comply with the performance measures required under
the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which includes reporting on the number of jobs preserved
and created through Recovery Act funding. In addition, performance measures specified through
the JAG program will be documented throughout the reporting period. Reports will include the
following:
· Total grant funds expended on equipment and supplies during the reporting period;
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· The types of equipment purchased with JAG funds during the report period;
· The percentage of criminal justice staff who reported improved efficiency in their job
performance as a result of equipment purchased with JAG funds;
· The percentage of criminal justice staff who reported an increase in program quality as
a result of equipment or supplies purchased with JAG funds.
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