TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Solicitor General VOCA Supplemental Award for Personnel

INITIATED BY: Solicitor General’s Victim Witness Assistance Program

Recommendation: (A) Approval is requested to authorize the Solicitor General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and, if approved, accept an additional Federal VOCA Grant of $44,843, or as otherwise awarded, from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund by the amount awarded, with no cash local match required.

(B) Approval is requested to create a new position of Victim Advocate in the Office of the Solicitor General Victim-Witness Assistance Program, with the salary and benefits of said position to be fully funded pursuant to said grant and said position contingent upon receipt of future grant funding in subsequent federal fiscal years.

Background: The Office of the Solicitor General operates a Crime Victim Assistance Program and has been awarded a Federal Victims of Crime Act Assistance Grant Program (hereinafter referred to as “VOCA”) grant for approximately 20 years. We are requesting additional VOCA funding to provide for a much-needed additional Victim Advocate.

We currently have one Victim Advocate and a Director. We cannot cover all the courts necessary to supply adequate services to our victims. We currently are responsible for covering 18 court sessions per week, (including State Court, Recorder’s Court, and Municipal Court). We provide 2,000 to 3,000 Victim Services per quarter. We do not have enough Victim Advocates to cover all these court sessions, initiate contact with victims earlier in the criminal justice process, and conduct adequate education and community outreach. Additionally, a Spanish language advocate would be extremely helpful.The Solicitor General requests approval of this grant application to create a new, full time Victim Advocate position using the said grant money to fund the position at a salary of $36,000 with benefits as follows: FICA $2,754; Health $5,900; Life $180; GG Retirement $0; TOTAL $44,843. Volunteer hours will be used to meet the matching requirement of said grant.

Analysis: The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has allocated additional VOCA Grant Funding. Such grants must be submitted by July 17, 2017. The Solicitor General’s Office has been encouraged by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to submit applications for this additional grant money that only recently opened up.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There will be no annual fiscal impact as a result of awarding this grant. The Victim Advocate position's salary would be $36,000, plus benefits - which will be fully funded by the grant. Funding in subsequent years will be contingent upon subsequent grant funding.

Legal Considerations: Georgia Law requires the Solicitor General provide extensive services, information, and notification to crime victims pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 17-17-1 (Crime Victims' Bill of Rights). The Solicitor General is solely and directly responsible for complying with this law as mandated by the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights. The need for an additional Victim Advocate to work with crime victims earlier in the criminal justice process, essentially prior to or at the defendant’s first appearance, is greatly needed. Our office is currently understaffed and has one Victim Advocate to assist numerous crime victims. The addition of this Victim Advocate position will greatly enhance our ability to serve our community's misdemeanor crime victims.

Recommendations/Actions: (A) Approval is requested to authorize the Solicitor General/Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and, if approved, accept an additional Federal VOCA Grant of $44,843, or as otherwise awarded, from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund by the amount awarded, with no cash local match required.

(B) Approval is requested to create a new position of Victim Advocate in the Office of the Solicitor General Victim-Witness Assistance Program, with the salary and benefits of said position to be fully funded pursuant to said grant and said position contingent upon receipt of future grant funding in subsequent federal fiscal years.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR GENERAL TO ACCEPT A VOCA GRANT AWARD OF $44,843 OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED TO OPERATE THE SOLICITOR GENERAL’S VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM OCTOBER 1, 2017 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2018. THERE IS NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED AND MULTI GOVERNMENTAL FUND WILL BE AMENDED BY THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD.

WHEREAS, the Solicitor-General designed a Victim Witness Assistance Program in 1997, which specially address the needs of misdemeanor crime victims; and,

WHEREAS, the funds are requested to finance personnel and budget of the Solicitor-General’s Victim Witness Assistance Program to provide services mandated by Georgia Law; and,

WHEREAS, the Solicitor-General is requesting the acceptance of a $44,843 or otherwise awarded Federal Grant Award. Also approval to create a new position beginning October 1, 2017; and,

WHEREAS, if accepted, Federal grant monies will reimburse the City for salary, and benefits for the excluding applicable Federal and State taxes.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES;

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to accept a Grant funds for the Solicitor General’s Victim/Witness Assistance program from VOCA, a Federal grant, an Amend the Multi Governmental Fund (0216) to reflect the revenue and expenses.