The City of Billings has been offered $77,433 in grants for the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Drug Court (BAMDC) from the State of Montana and the U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Grant for State and Local Government.  The goal of the grants is to respond to the needs of persons with a drug addiction within the criminal justice system, thus furthering the mission of increased public safety. BAMDC will partner with community drug addiction treatment facilities and law enforcement to develop a system that will screen adult misdemeanor offenders with serious drug addictions for eligibility in the misdemeanor drug court, and provide diversion and treatment programs that address the specific needs of the participants. BAMDC will measure short-term outcomes regarding maintenance of treatment and medication regimens, employment, education and family support. Long-term goals will focus on independent living in a pro-social manner, reduced recidivism and increased sobriety.

Additional funding of $25,433 was granted and funded by the State of Montana General Fund to the City for the grant year ending June 30, 2009, to be used for costs associated with the original grant. This award was drawn in FY09. A federal earmark of $52,000 was granted, as well, to be used for treatment services in addition to the original grant for the grant period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2010. This award is expected to be drawn in FY10.

The Council may:

• Accept the State of Montana General Fund Allocation and the US Department of Justice Grant for the maintenance of the adult misdemeanor drug court;
• Decline the State of Montana General Fund Allocation and the US Department of Justice Grant.

ACCEPT Grant Offers – MINOR FINANCIAL IMPACT. The City will receive $77,433 over a period of three years. “In kind” match of approximately $30,000 per year is already included in the Municipal Court FY10 budget through employee salaries and indigent mental health line items. “In kind” contribution is broadly defined in this grant. The majority of the City’s contribution would include the hours which team members, (i.e. prosecutor, judge, public defender) spend on drug court-related activities. The City of Billings would not be required to hire additional staff. The evaluator, coordinator and treatment professionals would be employed by contract and without City benefits.


DECLINE Grant Offers – CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON COMMUNITY.  Most offenders do not have private insurance and cannot afford treatment. Untreated offenders consistently re-offend and re-victimize the community.

Staff recommends that Council approve the request to allow Mayor Tussing to accept the State of Montana General Fund Allocation and the US Department of Justice Grant for $77,433 in total on behalf of the Billings Municipal Court for the maintenance of an adult misdemeanor drug court.