Discuss, consider and take appropriate action to authorize the Williamson County Sheriff's Office to apply for funding for the Cold Case Task Force and Coalition Project through the Criminal Justice Division Program grant with the Office of the Governor.

The Sheriff's Office is seeking to apply for the Criminal Justice Program grant through the Office of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division. The project dates are October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 and there is no match requirement for this grant. The grant will fund the Cold Case Task Force and Coalition Project, providing the Cold Case Unit with specialized software, a document scanner, case-related travel, Cold Case Task Force Coalition related travel, and DNA collection supplies, as well as adding two grant funded positions; a detective and crime analyst. The detective and crime analyst will: investigate Williamson County cold cases; form a regional Cold Case Task Force Coalition to share information, best practices and resources regarding cold cases; and establish a Cold Case Family Conference, giving family members a place to be educated and supported in their long-term grief. Invitations to the Cold Case Task Force Coalition will be extended to all law enforcement agencies within Bell, Williamson, Travis, Hays, Comal and Bexar Counties.

In 2018, the Sheriff's Office acquired a DNA collection device called M-Vac. The M-Vac is a sterile wet-vacuum that collects DNA from pieces of evidence that are porous or coarse, opening up possibilities of new evidence from items that were previously unable to be tested. This project will provide supplies required for the operation of the M-Vac, allowing members of the regional coalition to have access to this new technology.

The project total is approximately $185,791.00 and will fund: a full-time detective and full-time crime analyst within the Cold Case Unit (salary and fringe benefits); approximately a one-year supply of M-Vac supplies to be used for cold case investigations; industry-specific software for case management, analysis and reporting; case-related travel for Cold Case personnel; document scanner; and travel expenses to assist law enforcement agencies attending Cold Case Task Force Coalition meetings. No match is required for this grant and the only additional funding needed will be for the detective's uniforms, approximately $2,487.85. A request for these funds will be made through the normal budget process.

The Office of the Governor requires each applicant to submit a signed CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances Form as well as a resolution to be approved by the governing body, naming the authorized official with signatory authority. Staff recommends the following action: Approve the Sheriff's Office to apply for funding for the Cold Case Task Force and Coalition Project through the Criminal Justice Division Program grant and approve appropriate County department personnel to complete documentation relevant to the implementation of the grant.