Accepting a US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women - Sexual Assault Justice Initiative Grant and Amending the 2016 District Attorney Budget to Appropriate the Related Funds

Resolution No. ____-16

Accepting a US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women – Sexual Assault Justice Initiative Grant and Amending the 2016 District Attorney Budget to Appropriate the Related Funds

WHEREAS, Sauk County, through the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Lake Delton Police Department and Hope House applied for a US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women - Sexual Assault Justice Initiative (USDOJ, OVAW-SAJI) grant; and,

WHEREAS, the grant was sought to fund the following for calendar years 2016 and 2017:

1. Salary, benefits, training and equipment for a 0.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) Sauk County Assistant District Attorney to handle sexual assault cases and to provide training to law enforcement.

2. Salary, benefits and training for a 1.0 FTE Lake Delton Police Investigator to handle Lake Delton area sexual assault investigations, provide assistance in sexual assault investigations to other law enforcement agencies within Sauk County, and to provide training to law enforcement.

3. Salary, benefits and training for a 0.5 FTE Hope House Sexual Assault Victim Advocate to provide support services for sexual assault victims.

WHEREAS, the County has been selected to receive one of seven national awards of up to $400,000 to fund the grant as applied for.

WHEREAS, the goals of the grant include the following:

1. Training prosecutors, detectives, law enforcement and advocates on best, victim centered practices.

2. Improving timeliness and effectiveness of the process from reporting to prosecution.

3. Evaluating and strengthening Sauk County existing policies and protocols.

4. Building stronger connections with underserved populations including the Ho Chunk Tribe and the immigrant population arriving for employment opportunities in Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton.

5. Improving victim advocacy.

WHEREAS, Sauk County will benefit from the increased prosecution resources,

the increased law enforcement resources being focused on sexual assault offenses which greatly decrease public safety and have far reaching emotional and mental health consequences for victims, and increased victim advocacy which will help victims heal from the trauma of assault.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors, met in regular session, that the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women - Sexual Assault Justice Initiative grant for approximately $400,000 be accepted; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2016 District Attorney budget be amended to authorize expenditure of funds limited to the total amount of grant dollars received to cover contracted staff salary and benefits, training and equipment costs.

For consideration by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors on January 19, 2016.

Fiscal Note:  Expenditures shall be completely funded by this grant with minimal County contribution absorbed in the existing budget for office supplies and paper.  Expenditures for the two year period are estimated to be:

Information Systems Note:  The prosecutor’s laptop, docking station and other peripherals will remain the property of the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office and will be supported by DAIT.  Lake Delton and Hope House will equip their staff.