Staff recommends that the City Council approve the 2023 JAG application submission in the amount of $152,772; accept the grant award; approve the MOU with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) and authorize the Mayor to sign the award documents when they are received.  

The City has been notified that funding is available for the 2023 Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant.  This $152,772 is a joint application between the Billings Police Department (BPD) and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office (YCSO), with the BPD acting as the grant administrator.  The YCSO will use its $20,611 allocation of grant funds to purchase equipment and supplies for Sheriff's Office and Detention Facility.  $4,529 with be used to purchase rechargeable flashlights and charging docks for the detention facility, $5,192.90 will be used to purchase batteries to be used for tactical robot, the Sheriff's Office helicopter, as well as other radios and miscellaneous supplies.  The Sheriff's offices plans to spend $1,000 to fix hail damage on the helicopter and $8,000 to purchase a Motorola APX portable radio. 

The BPD plans to use $132,161 to purchase interior patrol SUV equipment, simulation ammunition, Point Blank vests, TASER training cartridges, uniforms, AED batteries, First Aid supplies and promotional items.  

The attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is part of the application submittal.   

City Council may:

• Approve the 2023 JAG application submission in the amount of $152,772; accept the grant award; approve the MOU with Yellowstone County and authorize the Mayor to sign the award documents when they are received; or,
• Not Approve the 2023 JAG application submission in the amount of $152,772 and provide further direction to staff.  

There will be no cost to the City as no match is required.