Bill Type and Number: Ordinance 2006-1365

Sponsor: Council President at the request of the Mayor

Date of Introduction: November 28, 2006

Committee(s) of Reference: F, TEUS

Date of Analysis: December 1, 2006

Type of Action: Appropriation; approval of new employee position; approval of subgrant agreement

Bill Summary: The bill appropriates a $9.27 million federal homeland security grant to a variety of salary, supply, and capital equipment purchase accounts to implement a Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) project in Jacksonville and the surrounding 13-county Northeast Florida urban area. The bill provides assigns grant funding to 3 existing positions and creates one new grant-funded position. The bill also approves the execution of Federally Funded Subgrant Agreement between the City and the Florida Division of Emergency Management for receipt and use of the federal grant funds, including compliance, monitoring and reporting requirements.

Background Information: The UASI grant is intended to improve the capacity of the Northeast Florida region to respond effectively to man-made or natural threats or disasters. The grant provides funding for capital equipment acquisition, personnel costs (including overtime), planning efforts, and professional services. The 3 existing positions to be funded by the grant are an Emergency Preparedness Program Manager, Emergency Preparedness Program Coordinator, Emergency Preparedness Specialist; the newly-created position is a Crime Analyst.

Budget line items include the following major expenditures:

• Overtime and backfill for employees attending training classes $ 797,133
• Automatic vehicle locator system $2,318,512
• Search and rescue equipment $1,469,548
• Specialized response vehicles, trailers, and watercraft $1,145,977
• Planning and public education $ 832,000

Policy Impact Area: Public safety; homeland security

Fiscal Impact: Appropriates $9.27 million in federal homeland security grant funds

Analyst: Clements