11D-9.005. Application and Award Procedures

(1) Statewide Strategic Plan. The Department shall develop a Statewide plan to determine how grants received under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program will be used to improve the administration of the criminal justice system. The plan shall:

(a) Be designed in consultation with local governments and representatives of all segments of the criminal justice systems as outlined in the Act, Section 502(6)(A);

(b) Include a description of how the State will allocate funding within the JAG program areas identified in the Act, Section 501(a)(1);

(c) Describe the process used by State for gathering evidenced-based data and the use of such data in support of funding decisions; and

(d) Be updated every 5 years.

(2) JAG-Countywide Notification Process for State Applicants.

(a) The Department shall notify in writing state agencies that are appropriated a portion of the JAG-Countywide funds as determined by the Florida Legislature. Such notice shall identify the funding available, the purposes for which these funds may be used and the procedures required for receipt of such funds.

(b) State agencies so notified shall be obligated the appropriated funds upon receipt of an application for such funds from the affected agency.

(c) Applicants who submit proposals to the Department for consideration shall submit a completed application package via the Department’s electronic grants management system.

(3) JAG-Countywide Notification Process for Local Applicants.

(a) The Department shall send notice of the funding cycle to the Chairman for the Board of County Commissioners in each county. The Department shall also provide a courtesy copy of said notice to the Chief Elected Official of the governing body of each city located in each county so notified.

(b) The Chairman for the Board of County Commissioners in each county so notified shall return to the Department within 30 days of receiving the funding notification, a statement of participation indicating the county’s willingness to serve as the coordinating unit of government for at least 51% percent of the units of government which also represent at least 51% percent of the population located in said county. In the event the county declines to serve as the coordinating unit of government, the Department shall request the governing body of each municipality, in descending order of population, to serve as the coordinating unit of government.

(c) The county shall designate a county coordinator to serve as the primary point-of-contact for JAG-Countywide local application planning and coordination. The county coordinator shall be responsible for: coordinating the 51% process, coordinating the county’s application submission, providing application instructions to approved agencies, and overseeing all applications within the county to ensure timely submission.

(d) Units of government receiving JAG Countywide funds must reach a written consensus on the use of those funds. This written consensus shall be documented through submission of 51% letters which must:

1. Represent at least 51% of the units of government in the county;

2. Represent at least 51% of the population of the county;

3. Be signed by the chief official for the unit of government;

4. Identify each recipient, the amount, and the purpose for use of the funds; and

5. Include the total amount of the county’s JAG Countywide allocation.

(4) JAG-Countywide Local Application Process.

(a) Each applicant is encouraged to appoint an Advisory Board, the membership of which shall include at a minimum the following persons or their authorized designee: Chief Circuit Judge, State Attorney, Public Defender, Sheriff, Chief of Police of each municipality within the county or a Chief of Police designated by those Chiefs of Police as their representative, Jail Administrator, Clerk of the Court, Superintendent of Education and a representative of local drug treatment programs. An existing Board or Council whose membership includes the listed representatives may be utilized in lieu of appointing a new Board or Council. The Advisory Board shall serve as the primary body for identifying priority areas for funding to improve criminal justice within the local jurisdiction.

(b) Applicants who submit proposals to the Department for consideration shall submit a completed application package which is filled out via the Department’s electronic grant management system.

(c) The Department shall review all applications for JAG-Countywide funds and shall reject any application not meeting the requirements of these rules and applicable federal and state laws.

(5) JAG-Direct Notification Process for Local Applicants. To initiate a funding cycle, the Department shall send notice of the funding cycle to the Chief Elected Official of the governing body of each unit of government identified by BJA as eligible to receive JAG-Direct funds.

(6) JAG-Direct Local Application Process.

(a) Applicants who submit proposals to the Department for consideration shall submit a completed application package which is filled out via the Department’s electronic grant management system.

(b) The Department shall review all applications for Act funds and shall reject any application not meeting the requirements of these rules and applicable federal and state laws.

Rulemaking Authority 943.03(4), 943.403 FS. Law Implemented 943.25(1), 943.402 FS. History–New 2-6-90, Amended 2-7-95, Formerly 9G-16.008, Amended 6-22-00, Formerly 9B-61.008, Amended 11-5-02, 3-27-06, 3-13-13, 7-9-19.