In 2002, Montana was designated a High Intensity Drug Traffic Area (HIDTA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has awarded the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force $180,786.16 for the calendar year 2010. This is the ninth year the City of Billings is the recipient agency of this award, which is used to battle the methamphetamine epidemic in Montana communities.  The HIDTA Task Force consists of personnel from U.S. Marshal's Service, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, and the Billings Police Department.  The Task Force is managed by a Sergeant from the Billings Police Department.  The 2010 HIDTA Award will be used to pay for a Support Specialist position for the HIDTA Task Force, task force overtime, administrative and investigative travel,  automobile rental costs, cell phones, copier maintenance agreement, investigative/office supplies, equipment and informant costs. HIDTA does pay for all overtime costs associated with the Task Force.   Staff is requesting City Council approve and accept the 2010 HIDTA Award from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, in the amuont of $180,785.16, and authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary award documents, when they are received.

The City Council may:

• Approve the acceptance of the 2010 HIDTA Award in the amount of $180,785.16, or
• Not approve the acceptance of the 2010 HIDTA Award in the amount of $180,785.16.

The 2010 HIDTA Award in the amount of $180,785.16 will require no City match. The award has been budgeted in Fund 255 for the balance of FY 09/10.

Staff is requesting City Council approve and accept the 2010 HIDTA Award from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, in the amount of $180,785.16, and authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary award documents, when they are received.