Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges
presenter
Presentation By: Michael Balken
end
Department: Police
FORMAL TITLE:
title
Agreement to accept Victims of Crime Act grant funds received from the State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General, in the amount of $59,412
end
OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) was established in 1984 by the State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General, to support providing services to victims of crime. The Ocala Police Department (OPD) recognizes that victims of violent crime suffer an emotional impact and an immediate financial loss. The VOCA program provides support services to those affected. This funding will enable this program to continue.
On September 26, 2025, OPD was awarded a VOCA grant through the State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General, in the amount of $59,412, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, to cover the salary and benefits of a full-time victim-witness advocate.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
This VOCA agreement, along with the grant funds awarded, will help maintain OPD's victim advocate services for victims of violent crime in Ocala. No match is required. Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
VOCA funds will be accepted in the amount of $59,412 to fund the victim-witness advocate position in the grant account strings beginning with 001-050-840-521-52*, MUNIS Contract #250272. No match is required. However, due to a cut in government funding, the City will be responsible for $28,608.20 in residual salary costs and benefits, to be taken from 001-018-851-521-52-12020, 001-018-851-521-52-14010, 001-018-851-521-52-21010, 001-018-851-521-52-22012, and 001-018-851-521-52-23010, which were previously budgeted for, as well as any other residual costs that the grant does not cover.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legal...
Click here for full text