Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Norman Foster
Department: Office of Management and Budget
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2020-719 transferring funds within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) for the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) in the amount of $38,985 for the purpose of providing matching funds for a grant received by BSO from the Florida Office of the Attorney General and to fully fund a Victim Advocate position.
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Why Action is Necessary
Florida Statutes 932.7055(5)(a) requires that proceeds from the disposition of liens and forfeited property obtained from criminal procedure and corrections be deposited in a special law enforcement trust fund to be used for law enforcement purposes. Recommendation of the Sheriff and Board approval are required to appropriate LETF funds.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides LETF funding in the amount of $38,985 to meet a matching funds requirement for a grant received by the Broward Sheriff’s Office from the Florida Office of the Attorney General and to fully fund a Victim Advocate position.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
The Broward Sheriff’s Office supports this LETF request for matching funds for the BSO Criminal Investigations Division. BSO received a grant from the Florida Office of Attorney General in the amount of $81,284 to fund one full-time Victim Advocate position in the Special Victims Unit for a one-year grant period (October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021). As a condition of the grant award and to fully fund the position/program, BSO is requesting LETF funds in the amount of $38,985 to be used as matching funds. The VOCA-funded Victim Advocate will provide services to victims of all crimes against persons, including simple and aggravated battery, whose victims are typically underserved as those crimes often do not receive the same level of attention. This Advocate typically serves 400 victims annually.
Source of Additional Information
Norman Foster, Director, Office of Management and Budget, (954) 357-6346
Colonel James Reyes, BSO Department of Administration, (954) 831-8180
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds are available within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for these actions. According to BSO, the current balance of the LETF, as of November 18, 2020, is $2,379,703 in the local account ($2,106,414 of which is unrestricted) and $4,604,946 in the federal account ($2,712,669 of which is unrestricted). This action will utilize $38,985 in unrestricted local funds.