HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5i - Police Department Grant Application for FY 2026-27 Item 5i
Department: Police
Cost Center: 8001
For Agenda of: 5/19/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Rick Scott, Police Chief
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Business Analyst
SUBJECT: POLICE DEPARTMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FY 2026-27
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Police department to submit grant applications to the following agencies
for FY 2026-27:
a. California Office of Traffic Safety in an amount not to exceed $190,000.
b. California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in an amount not to exceed
$93,000.
c. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant in the amount of $17,463.
2. If the grants are awarded, authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police to
execute related grant documents and authorize the Finance Director to make the
necessary budget adjustments upon the award of the grant.
POLICY CONTEXT
The recommended actions are consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Financial
Management Manual, Section 740 – Grant Management Policy. The policy states that
Council must approve all grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt
and contract execution to the City Manager.
DISCUSSION
The police department utilizes grant funds annually to offset costs associated with
focused enforcement activities related to traffic safety, impaired driving, and underage
drinking. Grant funds are used to pay for officer overtime and related equipment.
Office of Traffic Safety
The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is California’s designated highway safety office that
awards grants annually to state and local agencies for enforcement and educational
programs designed to improve road safety throughout the state.
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Item 5i
The department has been awarded funding from OTS for over twenty year s; funding
enables the department to conduct numerous operations specifically focused on alcohol
or drug impaired drivers. An application for the FY 2026-27 OTS grant was submitted in
an amount not to exceed $190,000 ($188,747). If awarded, grant funds will be used for
overtime costs associated with the following activities: DUI checkpoints, DUI saturation
patrols, traffic enforcement, distracted driving, traffic safety education , and pedestrian and
bicycle enforcement. Due to the timing of the grant deadline, the application was
submitted prior to Council’s review; however, if Council denies this request, the
application can be withdrawn, or the award can be declined.
Alcoholic Beverage Control
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the State
government charged with regulation of alcoholic beverages. A recurring goal of ABC is to
reduce youth’s access to alcohol by combining focused enforcement, training and
educational programs.
Grant funds are used for overtime foc used on underage drinking, establishments over-
serving, training, and education. The grant application was submitted on March 30, 2026,
in an amount not to exceed $93,000. If awarded, grant funds will be used for enforcement
activities related to underage drinking, general alcohol enforcement and awareness. If
Council denies staff’s request, the application can be withdrawn, or the award can be
declined.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
The Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, provide grant funding
under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. This grant
is a local formula-based opportunity for units of local government to support the purchase
of equipment, supplies, training or other programs that support law enforcement.
The department has been allocated funding under this grant formula for many years; this
year the allocation is $17,463. The department submitted a grant proposal requesting
additional general observation (Pod) cameras to equip the department’s new mobile
camera trailer, consistent with the fixed pod cameras in other areas of the city. These
cameras are primarily observation cameras which are also license plate reader (LPR)
capable but will not be Flock brand cameras due to rec ent data privacy concerns. The
benefits of LPR cameras include the ability to quickly capture data in the event of an
investigation, identify stolen vehicles, and assist in locating potential vehicles involved in
a missing persons (Amber Alert) case. LPR data is only saved for 30 days before it is
deleted and is not shared with outside law enforcement agencies. The grant application
was due on April 28th, however, if Council denies this request staff can withdraw the
application or request to change the type of purchase.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for May 19, 2026, City Council meeting and will follow all
required postings and notifications. The public may have an opportunity to comment on
this matter at or before the meeting.
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Item 5i
CONCURRENCE
The Director of Finance concurs with staff’s recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended
action in this report because the action does not constitute a project under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2026-27
Funding Identified: No
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources
Total
Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
State of California
Office of Traffic Safety
188,747
State of California
Alcoholic Beverage
Control
93,000
Edward Byrne
Memorial Justice
Assistance
17,463
Total $ $299,210 $ $
Matching funds are not required for these grants. If the grants are awarded, staff will
request to appropriate funds as necessary. If funds are not received the department will
be delayed, or potentially unable to purchase, the additional LPR cameras.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not submit grant applications or decline funding. Grants provide funding for
specialized equipment purchases and overtime costs associated with focused
enforcement and education opportunities. Without grant funds the department would be
unable to carryout these programs which increase safety in the community.
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