City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 6, 2023 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: POLICE DEPARTMENT ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS – FUNDS TRANSFER AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $345,000 ISSUE:
Authorize a supplemental appropriation of asset forfeiture funds in the amount of $345,000 from the Federal Asset Forfeiture Account, Federal Treasury Asset Forfeiture Account and State Asset Forfeiture Account to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund Police Department as detailed in this report.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council with at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $345,000 and an equal amount appropriated to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Asset Forfeiture Programs as detailed in this report.
BACKGROUND:
Federal and State legislation allow for funds seized by law enforcement during the investigation of specific narcotics law violations to be forfeited to the investigating law enforcement organizations. These funds are restricted in use to law enforcement and must be used to supplement, not supplant, the Police Department’s annual budget.
DISCUSSION
The proposed expenditures for the asset forfeiture funds include equipment, supplies and services that help support the City’s law enforcement operations. The items and services requested this fiscal year include software license and application renewals and Night Vision Goggles for SWAT Operations and are outlined in the following chart.
Key
Object
Expenditure
Budget
Professional Services
3145501
421000
Gang/TF Audit/UC Funds
30,000
Telephone - Cellular
3145501
422120
Cell Service for iPads (20)
10,000
3145501
422120
Phone Usage/UC
20,000
Software Purchase/Licensing
3145201
425700
Computer Forensics Unit - License Renewal
25,000
3145201
425700
Radio Licenses
18,000
3145201
425700
Veritone Contract Application
2,000
3145201
425700
Churchill
12,000
3145401
425700
Whooster Software License Renewal
15,000
3145401
425700
Grayshift
10,000
3145401
425700
Linear Systems
4,500
3145401
425700
OTI Open Text
2,000
3145401
425700
Call-Yo 12-month License Renewal
3,500
Special Department Supplies
3145201
426800
Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
193,000
Total:
345,000
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The proposed fund transfer will allow the Police Department to purchase the items and services summarized in this report and provide the Department with the tools needed to serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in greater public good.
Equity – The proposed fund transfer will allow the Police Department to purchase the items and services summarized in this report which will allow the Department to continue to provide public safety services and ensure every member of the community has equal access to share in the benefits.
Fiscal Responsibility – The proposed fund transfer will be used to make the purchases summarized in this report which will be made in accordance with the City’s Purchasing Police and will be managed responsibly. The funding source is a non-General Fund source.
Innovation – The proposed fund transfer will be used to make the purchases summarized in this report and will assist the Police Department in meeting the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed fund transfer provides the Police Department with a way to make the outlined purchases without using General Funds. This allows the Department to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $345,000. Upon Council approval, an increase in $345,000 will be recorded in revenue and an equal amount will be appropriated in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Asset Forfeiture Programs, in the revenue and expenditure accounts listed in the table below.
Fund
Account Description
Account Number
Amount
Revenue
Grants & Restricted Programs
Police Asset Forfeiture - US DOJ
3145401-374500
$35,000
Police Asset Forfeiture - US Treasury
3145501-374500
$60,000
Police Asset Forfeiture - Miscellaneous
3145201-374500
$250,000
Total
$345,000
Expenditures
Grants & Restricted Programs
Forfeiture/US Treasury-Professional Services
3145501-421000
$30,000
Forfeiture/US Treasury-Telephone Cellular
3145501-422120
$30,000
Forfeiture/Misc-Software Purchases/Licensing
3145201-425700
$57,000
Forfeiture/DOJ-Software Purchases/Licensing
3145401-374500
$35,000
Forfeiture/Misc-Special Department Supplies
3145201-426800
$193,000
Total
$345,000
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer /City Treasurer
Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Asset Forfeiture Appropriation • Page 3