Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police was awarded funding through the FY2012 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, overtime for current analysts to work on casework, and equipment and funds for training current and new DNA analysts in the latest technologies in this ever-evolving field. The cost breakdown for this grant award is: personnel overtime and fringe benefits = $19,183.61, DNA testing supplies = $70,223.39, other equipment and supplies = $149,500.00 and training = $9,400.00.
These grant funds will help the Division of Police Crime Lab to process DNA samples efficiently and reduce the wait time for DNA case analysis. The official city program contact authorized to act in connection with this $248,307.00 grant is Crime Lab Manager, Jami St. Clair.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is needed to complete the acceptance and make the awarded funds available as soon as possible for funding overtime and training opportunities and to begin the purchasing process. Grant award start date is October 1, 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an acceptance of the $248,307.00 grant award and the appropriation of those funds from the National Institute of Justice to improve DNA analysis. 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 FY2012 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 $248,30...
Click here for full text