Title
A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing an expenditure in the amount of $180,000 from State Forfeited Asset Fund (F.A.F.) moneys, to provide for the initiation of a Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program for the Coral Gables Police Department; and authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Budget.
Explanation
State Forfeited Asset Funds (F.A.F.) consist of the proceeds from the seizure and forfeiture of certain assets identified during criminal investigations to have been possessed or utilized in violation of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
Under Florida State Statute 932.7055(5)(a), a permissible use of assets forfeited by a local law enforcement agency includes crime prevention and other law enforcement purposes, such as providing additional equipment or expertise.
A Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program will enhance the City’s existing Communications Section in the areas of quality assurance, accountability, and procedural efficiencies, as well as provide it with the ability to continually assess and improve its operations.
City leadership have reviewed, vetted, and approved the Coral Gables Chief of Police’s request to encumber and expend as needed the available forfeited asset funds via memorandum dated April 21, 2023.
An amendment to the Fiscal year 2022-2023 annual budget is required to recognize the forfeiture funds as revenue and appropriating such funds to put toward the cost of the items described above.