The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) requests City Council approve the joint application for and acceptance of grant funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to fund the FY2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.  HPD further requests City Council approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and Harris County as joint applicants for such grant.

Per the Interlocal Agreement, HPD has been designated as the lead agency and jointly applies on an annual basis for funding with the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). This grant is non-competitive and is formula driven. If awarded, HPD will receive $1,504,412.00 and HCSO will receive grant funding in the amount of $1,504,411.00 for a total of $3,008,823.00. Once awarded, the grant period begins October 1, 2023 and ends October 1, 2027. This grant does not require a cash match. This will be the 27th year of funding for the department.

The JAG funding provides HPD with flexibility to prioritize where it is most beneficial. HPD proposes to allocate this funding to civilian support personnel and classified overtime as a continuation of previous awards. The grant will continue to fund six positions in HPD's Technology Services, one position in the Office of Budget and Finance and one position for the Victim Services Unit. The employees in Technology Services provide critical support in implementing and supporting computer systems across the Houston Police Department. The employee in the Office of Budget and Finance provides financial services and professional oversight of various grants administered by the Department. HPD will also utilize the grant funding for targeted law enforcement overtime for patrol and other high demand areas as required by law enforcement.  Harris County proposes to use funds for overtime, equipment, supplies and training.

The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to act as the City’s representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related agreements with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.

The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the creation of a new Interest-Bearing Grant Fund for the JAG Program.

Fiscal Note:

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

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Troy Finner

Chief of Police