Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
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Department: Police
FORMAL TITLE:
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Budget Resolution 2026-123 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to accept and appropriate grant funds from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the purchase of furniture and specialized equipment for the Real Time Crime Center in the amount of $30,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
On November 13, 2025, the Ocala Police Department (OPD) was notified that it had been awarded $30,000 in grant funds through the JAG22 Countywide Residual Program, administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This award will fund the purchase of furnishings and specialized equipment for the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). The specialized equipment is designed to enhance collaborative analysis, improve situational awareness, and strengthen OPD’s ability to respond to emerging incidents in real time.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The Ocala Police Department will utilize the funds to acquire furnishings and specialized equipment for the RTCC. This investment will enable sworn personnel and analysts to better integrate technology, preserve digital evidence, and provide investigators with actionable intelligence. The RTCC’s design and specialized equipment support multi-disciplinary collaboration, increasing the likelihood of identifying persons of interest and solving crimes more efficiently.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City will receive $30,000 in FDLE grant funding to support the RTCC equipment and furnishings project. No match is required. Funds will be housed in account 001-060-870-521-66-64010. MUNIS Contract #260274.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2026-123
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE A FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STATE ASSISTANCE GRANT TOTALING $30,000
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) makes grants available to assist agencies with projects that promote public safety and strengthen law enforcement capacity; and
WHEREAS, the Ocala Police Department needs to furnish and equip the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) to respond quickly to incidents and combat increases in crime; and
WHEREAS, the Ocala Police Department was awarded $30,000 through the JAG22-Countywide Residual Grant administered by FDLE to purchase furnishings and specialized equipment for the RTCC.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, that the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget be amended as outlined below.
SOURCE:
001-331-000-000-09-33168 General Fund-FDLE grants $30,000
USE:
001-060-870-521-66-64010 Operating Supplies $30,000
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2026.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Ire J. Bethea Sr.
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