Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges / Susan Dobson
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
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Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-160 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept and appropriate additional grant funds from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for online sting operations in the amount of $4,585
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The city was awarded a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (“FDLE”) grant for the Online Sting Operations Grant Program to support law enforcement efforts to combat online child solicitation crimes. Grant funds totaling $28,578 were appropriated through Budget Resolution 2025-110 on November 4, 2024. Amendment #1, for $20,538, was appropriated through Budget Resolution 2025-131 on February 18, 2025. Amendment #2, for $2,838, was appropriated through Budget Resolution 2025-153 on May 20, 2025. FDLE has approved another amendment to the grant program, providing an additional $4,585 in funding. This amendment will support the purchase of additional equipment necessary for online sting operations, enhancing the city’s capabilities to continue investigating and prosecuting online child solicitation crimes, aligning with the city’s goals to protect public safety and prevent crime.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The amendment to the Online Sting Operations Grant Program does not alter the grant program’s objectives, scope, or timeline; instead, it provides additional resources to support the successful continuation of the program. The additional funding will enhance the agency’s capacity to conduct and support online sting investigations, with the goal of apprehending online offenders.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The additional grant funds award of $4,585 will enable equipment purchases to support online sting operations. No match is required. Funds will be housed in account # 001-050-862-521-52-52010. Munis Contract# 241096.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Adopt with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2025-160
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ONLINE STING OPERATIONS TOTALING $4,585
WHEREAS, the city was awarded a grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the Online Sting Operations Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the original grant amount of $28,578 was appropriated on Budget Resolution 2025-110 on November 5, 2024; and
WHEREAS, a grant amendment in the amount of $20,538, was appropriated on Budget Resolution 2025-131 on February 18, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a grant amendment in the amount of $2,838, was appropriated on Budget Resolution 2025-153 on May 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has approved another amendment to the grant agreement, increasing the award by $4,585 to support the purchase of additional equipment necessary for online sting operations; and
WHEREAS, the additional funding will enhance the city’s capabilities to investigate online child solicitation crimes.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, that the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget be amended as outlined below to accept and appropriate $4,585 from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for additional equipment for the Ocala Police Department.
SOURCE:
001-334-000-000-09-33171 FY25 Online Sting Grant $4,585
USE:
001-050-862-521-52-52010 Operating Supplies-Other $4,585
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager