Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police was awarded funding through the FY2015 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program from the National Institute of Justice. This federally supported program seeks to improve the infrastructure and analysis capacity of existing state and local crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis so they can process DNA samples efficiently and cost effectively. Funds have been awarded for DNA analysis supplies and overtime, and training analysts in the latest technologies in this ever-evolving field. The cost breakdown for this grant award is as follows: DNA testing supplies $169,507.91, analyst overtime $30,644.49 and training $10,006.60.
The official city program contact authorized to act in connection with this $210,159.00 grant is Crime Lab Manager, Jami St. Clair. The grant award start date is January 1, 2016 and ends December 31, 2017.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is needed to complete the acceptance and make the awarded funds available as soon as possible. Grant award start date is January 1, 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an acceptance of the $210,159.00 grant award and the appropriation of those funds from the National Institute of Justice to improve DNA analysis. The City of Columbus received an award of $272,315.00 in 2011, $248,307.00 in 2012, $291,603 in 2013 and $282,452 in 2014. No matching funds are required and all grant expenditures will be reimbursed by the grant awarded funding.
Title
To authorize and direct the Mayor of the City of Columbus to accept a FY2015 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program award from the National Institute of Justice; to authorize the Crime Lab Manager as the official city representative to act in connection with this grant; to authorize an appropriation of $210,159.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund to the Division of Police to cover the cost of the FY2015 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Grant Program...
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