HomeMy WebLinkAbout20132184.tiffOFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-336-7204
FAX: 970-352-0242
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
July 25, 2013
Attn: Kathy Mason
Office of Justice Programs
RE: Congressional Select Award: 2009-DI-BX-0263.
Grant Adjustment Notification for 2009-D1-BX-0263.
Dear Ms. Mason,
Weld County was the recipient of the 2009 Congressional Select Award: 2009-D1-BX-0263 has an
unobligated balance of $453,800.
FORMAL REQUEST: In light of the announcement of a start and completion date for the crime lab,
the Weld County Commissioners and Sheriff's Office (and the other 5 participating agencies who
will be participants in the lab) are requesting a no cost extension on the 2009-D1-BX-0263
Congressional Select Award. The new projected end date would be 9/30/2014. The county will take
possession of the building in August, 2013, and will begin drawing down the funds from this grant at
that time.
On September 21, 2009, the Weld County Board of Commissioners Office was notified that they had
become the receipt of a Congressional Select Award for $500,000. The funds had been requested to
assist the Regional Lab in "Operation and Maintenance Costs" during the first 2 years of operation
while the participating agencies established their budgets to adjust for the additional costs relative to
a central facility. The creation of a central laboratory in which all of the examiners and analysts in the
region would operate was tantamount to the spending down of those dollars. At the request of NIJ,
adjustments and clarifications were made to the grant (November 10, 2010) and the funds were
released to the county in December of 2010.
One of the stated purposes of the grant was to assist victims of crimes, and this crime lab has and
will continue to perform those functions. However, the incorporation of all of the staff in a central
facility will allow for greater efficiencies and better service to the participating agencies. As evidence
of the labs service to the area, in 2011 the regional crime lab was the recipient of the August Vollmer
Excellence in Forensic Science Award from the IACP for laboratory collaboration with local law
enforcement. Additionally, Congress has made quality forensic lab services a priority and having a
central facility will provide a more effective means of assuring that quality through improved
communications, audits and onsite inspections by managers.
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2013-2184
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The Regional Crime Lab is nearing completion and the open house has been set for August, 2013.
Shortly after this, crime lab activities will commence at this location and the funds from this grant
will be used to cover the costs, as outlined in the budget narrative, for the first two years of the
facility being in operation.
Very truly yours,
BOA OFF CO TY COMMISSIONERS
illiam F. Garcia, Chair
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