REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Appropriation of Asset Forfeiture Funds for FY 2022/23 and Approve the Related Budget Amendment
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Asset Forfeiture Funds are obtained as a result of narcotic and other criminal investigations. Federal and State authorities allow the Police Department to share in the distribution of funds seized pursuant to judicial and/or administrative actions. The use of these monies is limited to specific uses.
Each year, the City Council is consulted on the Police Department's recommendation to purchase equipment to enhance our ability to apprehend criminal offenders, attend training and networking opportunities, increase employee safety, and enhance the way we serve our community with the assistance of Asset Forfeiture Funds.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/21, approximately $99,000 of the $166,000 in approved Asset Forfeiture Fund purchases went unspent; this remaining budget was carried over to FY 2021/22, as approved by the City Council in the Budgetary Year-End Report. In FY 2021/22, City Council approved an additional $182,500 in Asset Forfeiture Fund purchases, bringing the total Asset Forfeiture appropriation in the Police Operating Grant Trust Fund to approximately $281,500. At the writing of this report, there is approximately $186,000 remaining to be spent for approved items. The Police Department will request to carryover any remaining balance to FY 2022/23 as part of the next Budgetary Year-End Report. Staffing levels city-wide (e.g. ability to obtain quotes, coordinate the acquisitions with the Purchasing Division, implement the inventory with Police Department policies and procedures, conduct the corresponding training, etc.), combined with pandemic related supply chain issues, have slowed the acquisition process.
DISCUSSION
The City has the opportunity to continue to enhance Police Department services with Asset F...
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