Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges / Susan Dobson
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
end
Department: Police
FORMAL TITLE:
title
Budget Resolution 2026-153 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to accept and appropriate grant funds received from Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems for the Ocala Police Department Chaplain Program in the amount of $99,779
end
OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
The Ocala Police Department (OPD) is currently staffed by a full-time, compensated chaplain who provides crisis response, grief support, counseling, spiritual care, and wellness services to officers, staff, and their families. For the 2026-2026 funding cycle, the position was funded through Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On July 6, 2026, the City of Ocala, through the Ocala Police Department, was awarded grant funding from Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health Systems in the amount of $99,779. This grant will continue to support the salary, benefits, and program-related operating costs of the full-time police chaplain dedicated to serving police officers, staff, and their families. This funding is effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Lutheran Services Florida, Inc., Health Systems will reimburse the City of Ocala based on invoices submitted quarterly. Funds will be applied to revenue account 001-337-000-000-09-33005. The expenditure accounts span several object codes in 001-051-861* (MUNIS contract #260819).
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
* Approve with Changes
* Table
* Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2026-153
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE A CHAPLAIN PROGRAM GRANT FROM LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,779
WHEREAS, the Ocala Police Department recognizes the critical role of police chaplains in providing spiritual s...
Click here for full text