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 2025-110 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept and appropriate funds from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for online sting operations in the amount of $28,578
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The solicitation of children online poses a significant threat to public safety and the well-being of the community’s youngest members. The anonymity of the internet has facilitated the exploitation of minors, making it imperative for law enforcement and community organizations to collaborate in preventing and investigating these crimes. Funds in the amount of $28,578 have been awarded by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to support the development of strategic operations targeting individuals who solicit children online.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Grant funding will be utilized for overtime and to purchase essential equipment. These resources will significantly enhance the agency’s capacity to conduct thorough investigations and track and apprehend online offenders.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $28,578 award will help acquire equipment to support online sting operations. No match is required. Funds will be housed in accounts 001-050-862-521-52-52010 and 001-050-862-521-66-64010. Munis Contract# 241096.
Source:
001-334-000-000-09-33171 General Fund- FDLE grants $28,578
Use:
001-050-862-521-52-52010 Operating supplies $14,580
001-050-862-521-66-64010 Equipment $13,998
TOTAL $28,578
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Adopt with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2025-110
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE A FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLINE STING OPERATIONS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,578
WHEREAS, in-state funding is available to create the Online Sting Operations Grant Program within Florida Department of Law Enforcement to award funding to local law enforcement agencies to support their creation of sting operations to target individuals who are soliciting children online; and
WHEREAS, this program is open to local law enforcement agencies in the State of Florida, and is a cost reimbursement grant; and
WHEREAS, available funds will be distributed based on the operational needs of each agency’s investigations as approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and
WHEREAS, funds will be spent on equipment to facilitate covert operations and investigative communications.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session duly assembled, that the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget be amended as outlined below to accept and appropriate $28,578 from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the purpose of overtime operations and equipment purchases for the Ocala Police Department.
Source:
001-334-000-000-09-33171 General Fund- FDLE grants $28,578
Use:
001-050-862-521-52-52010 Operating supplies $14,580
001-050-862-521-66-64010 Equipment $13,998
TOTAL $28,578
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2024.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Barry Mansfield
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