AGENDA ITEM NO. 5
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AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina | Office of the City Manager
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| DATE: | October 6, 2026 |
TO: |
Mayor and City Council |
FROM: |
Milan Mrakich, City Manager |
SUBJECT: |
CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION FOR 2026 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE |
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
- Review the proposed 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program application items;
- Authorize staff to submit the application and accept the award totaling $25,740;
- Authorize the Mayor to execute the Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government 30 days after this Council meeting in accordance with JAG requirements;
- Designate the Mayor, City Manager, and City Manager's designee to certify and execute all grant related documents;
- Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-97 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 (2026 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT)
BACKGROUND:
In 2005, the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), within the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), combined several grant programs and created the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). According to federal requirements, this grant must be used to meet local law enforcement needs, and cannot be used to supplant existing funds or ongoing activities budgeted elsewhere. USDOJ requires that the City Council consider and approve the grant application items at an open meeting where the public can comment, and then submit the two-part application online before the due dates in October.
DISCUSSION:
The West Covina Police Department identified and prioritized unmet law enforcement supply needs in alignment with the JAG Program purpose areas and restrictions. The total cost of these items is $25,740, which matches the full grant amount available to the City. The proposed purchases include:
Funding these items through the 2026 Justice Assistance Grant complies with federal purpose areas and meets all BJA requirements.
With City Council approval, staff will proceed with securing the $25,740 grant. The application process requires the submission of a "Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government" form, which must be signed by the Mayor (see Attachment No. 1). To meet BJA requirements, this form will be submitted to USDOJ 30 days after this Council meeting and after the application is made public.
Although the application must be submitted online beforehand, USDOJ typically holds it until the signed certification form is received. The grant term is two years and operates on a reimbursement basis. No purchases will be made until the application and award documents are fully approved by USDOJ.
- $5,100 for an estimated 17 cartridges/battery sets for non-lethal weapons;
- $9,500 for one data recovery tool that retrieves digital and cellphone data for police investigations;
- $11,140 for an estimated five computers and storage drives for police operations.
Funding these items through the 2026 Justice Assistance Grant complies with federal purpose areas and meets all BJA requirements.
With City Council approval, staff will proceed with securing the $25,740 grant. The application process requires the submission of a "Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government" form, which must be signed by the Mayor (see Attachment No. 1). To meet BJA requirements, this form will be submitted to USDOJ 30 days after this Council meeting and after the application is made public.
Although the application must be submitted online beforehand, USDOJ typically holds it until the signed certification form is received. The grant term is two years and operates on a reimbursement basis. No purchases will be made until the application and award documents are fully approved by USDOJ.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
Prepared by:
Alex B. Houston, Police Executive Administrator
Additional Approval:
Karen Ogawa, Finance Director
Additional Approval:
Roxanne E. Lerma, Assistant City Manager
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City of West Covina will receive an estimated $25,740 in 2026 BJA Justice Assistance Grant funds to meet unfunded law enforcement supply needs, coded to Fund 130. There is no local match requirement, and no cost to the City General Fund. This is a reimbursable grant, which means that the City Council must first appropriate funds before staff can complete the purchases and submit for reimbursement. As detailed in the proposed budget amendment, City staff is recommending an expenditure appropriation of $25,740 and a corresponding revenue appropriation in Fund 130.
Attachments
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Protect Public Safety