Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to Accept COPS Grant Expenditures - Authorize and accept recommended expenditures for training, equipment, salary, and benefits for 1.5 police officer positions through the State of California fiscal year 2025/26 Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program funds of $224,616 and $223,197 for fiscal year 2024-25 COPS Growth funds for a total grant of $447,813 and appropriate $67,500 in the 631 grant fund.
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Prepared by: Police Chief Jason Salazar, 713-4215, Jason.Salazar@visalia.gov; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 713-4250, Liz.Ybarra@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Authorize and accept recommended expenditures for training, equipment, salary, and benefits for 1.5 police officer positions through the State of California fiscal year 2025/26 Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program funds of $224,616 and $223,197 for fiscal year 2024-25 COPS Growth funds for a total grant of $447,813 and appropriate $67,500 in the 631 grant fund.
Summary:
AB 3229 creates the Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program. The bill allocates money to cities and counties for law enforcement and public safety purposes. California Government Code section 30061 to 30063 regulates the funding.
The City of Visalia was allocated a total of $447,813 and will be deposited in and expensed from Fund 631. The Grant will be used to continue funding salary and benefits for 1.5 existing police officer positions. In addition, the Department will use the funds for training, equipment and other front line law enforcement services.
Background Discussion:
In FY 2025/26 the State allocated a total of $214,200,000 for COPS and Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention (JJCPA) and it is shared among County and City Agencies. The State allocates 5.15% to the County Sheriff’s Office, 5.15% to the District Attorney’s Office, 50% for JJCPA and 39.7% for City and County front line law enforcement services. The allocations are calculated in a manner that provides a minimum Grant allocation of $100,000 to each law enforcement jurisdiction. The City Council is responsible for appropriating the COPS Grant funds, which may only be spent on “front line law enforcement services” and may not be used to supplant existing law enforcement services. “Front line law enforcement services” is not specifically defined in the legislation, but includes anti-gang and community crime prevention programs, equipment, or services. The funds may not be used for capital construction projects. Funds must be expended or encumbered annually.
Fiscal Impact: The COPS Grant is budgeted annually, which includes projected revenue and expenditures. Once the final Grant allocation is announced and expenditures are finalized, adjustment are made to the budget. The police officer position is included in the budget projections for the current fiscal year. A budget adjustment in the amount of $67,500 is required as indicated on the table below.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Decline the designated grant money.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I motion to authorize and accept the recommended expenditures for training, equipment, salary, and benefits for 1.5 police officer positions through the State of California fiscal year 2025/26 Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) program funds of $224,616 and $223,197 for fiscal year 2024-25 COPS growth funds for a total grant of $447,813 and appropriate $67,500 in the 631 grant fund.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 1/20/2026
Attachments: COPS Grant