Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to accept the Office of Traffic STEP grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant in the amount of $189,525 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, appropriate $39,525 from the General Fund and authorize the Visalia Chief of Police to execute the grant agreement.
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Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.gov
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.gov
Police Lieutenant Mike Short, 559-713-4573, mike.short@visalia.gov
Police Sergeant Henry Martinez, 559-713-4232, henry.martinez@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) FY 2026-27 grant in the amount of $189,525 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), appropriate $39,525 from the General Fund, and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the grant. The grant is effective 10/01/2026 through 09/30/2027.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department has been awarded the STEP Grant for more than 10 years and has used the funds to enhance its traffic enforcement and educational efforts including but not limited to: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints and saturation patrols, distracted driver, motorcycle safety, pedestrian/ bicycle enforcement operations, and several educational presentations. The Grant has also funded equipment and provided the resources necessary to effectively complete DUI enforcement details.
Background Discussion:
With various strategies, traffic safety and DUI enforcement are aggressively targeted through checkpoints, saturation details, traffic enforcement, distracted driving operations, motorcycle details, and traffic safety education. The goal of the STEP grant is to provide support and funding to reduce the number of persons killed or injured in traffic collisions, decrease alcohol-related collisions, increase DUI enforcement efforts, and raise public awareness about the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving. Operations are conducted in areas with disproportionately high numbers of traffic collisions.
During the 2024-25 grant year (10/01/24-09/30/25), the Visalia Police Department investigated three alcohol-related fatal traffic collisions and 32 alcohol-related injury collisions. Overall, the Department responded to nine fatal traffic collisions and 437 injury collisions. Through the STEP grant, the Department received $200,000 in funding, which supported 21 DUI enforcement operations, 25 traffic safety enforcement operations, and officer training related to DUI detection and enforcement.
During the current 2025-26 grant year (10/1/25-YTD), the Visalia Police Department has investigated one alcohol-related fatal traffic collision and 36 alcohol-related injury collisions. Overall, the Department has responded to six fatal traffic collisions and 370 injury collisions. In the 2025-26 grant year the Department was awarded $190,000 in STEP grant funding, which supports 20 DUI enforcement operations, 25 traffic safety enforcement operations, and continued officer training in DUI detection and enforcement.
For the proposed 2026-27 grant year, the STEP grant will provide funding for six DUI/Driver License Checkpoints, 12 DUI Saturation Patrols, 10 Traffic Enforcement Operations, 10 Distracted Driving Enforcement Operations, one Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation, two Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operations, two Community Collaboration Engagements, and two Collaborative DUI Enforcement Operations. The grant will also provide funding for DUI checkpoint supplies and equipment necessary to support enforcement efforts.
The City of Visalia has experienced a steady increase in drivers and vehicles. This grant funding will provide additional resources to enhance enforcement and educational efforts, ultimately improving roadway safety.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
The STEP grant is budgeted annually and currently has a budget of $150,000 in the Traffic Division 2103. An additional $39,525 in appropriations is required. The General Fund will be reimbursed by the grant.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Alternatives:
Not to authorize the Visalia Police Department to submit the STEP Grant application.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program FY 2026-27 grant in the amount of $189,525 awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, appropriate $39,525 from the General Fund, and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the grant agreement.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 07/20/2026
Attachments: Draft Grant Agreement.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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