Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the FY22 Special Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund Grant awarded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund ("DVVF") Grant provides special state grant funding for the continued prosecution of sexual assault crimes and sexual crimes of violence in the City of Hampton (the "City"). Prosecutable crimes also include violations of protective orders.
Discussion:
The DVVF attorney works closely with the Hampton Police Division as well as other law enforcement agencies and medical personnel. Furthermore, the DVVF attorney serves as a member of Hampton's Sexual Assault Response Team ("SART"). SART is comprised of members from the Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office; Hampton Victim Witness Services; Hampton Police Division; Riverside Regional Hospital; Hampton Sentara Hospital's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners ("SANE"); and the law enforcement agencies of Hampton University and Thomas Nelson Community College. Cases are tried before Hampton's Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
Impact:
The FY22 DVVF grant award is $45,000 in special state funding, with a required cash match of $74,742, for a total grant award of $119,742. The required cash match for this recurring grant is budgeted in the General Fund's Departmental Support - Grant Match account. The total grant award funds the salary and fringe benefit cost for one (1) full-time attorney position in the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office which helps support the prosecution of approximately 100 cases. This is a special, one-year extension of the previous three-year grant cycle. The DVVF attorney position adheres to the City's employment policies and performance evaluation process.
Recommendation:
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice has awarded a FY22 Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund ("DVVF") Grant in the amount of the $45,000 in special state funding;
WHEREAS, the DVVF Grant award requires a cash match of $74,742;
WHEREAS, the combined funds of the DVVF Grant and the required cash match, which total $119,742, will be used by the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to fund the salary and fringe benefit cost for one (1) full-time attorney position dedicated to the prosecution of sexual assault crimes and sexual crimes of violence within the City; and
WHEREAS, the grant award is for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to (1) accept and appropriate the FY22 Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund ("DVVF") Grant award in the amount of $45,000, and any supplemental funding, from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to the Grant Fund; and (2) approve the transfer of $74,742, which is the required cash match, from the General Fund's Departmental Support - Grant Match to the Grant Fund for the purpose of funding the salary and fringe benefit cost for one (1) full-time attorney position in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dedicated to the prosecution of sexual assault crimes and sexual crimes of violence within the City, in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement this grant award.