The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is seeking approval of over $100,000 in grant funding for several law enforcement agencies and criminal justice projects in Marion County.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of criminal justice funding to states and local government units. According to county records, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has set aside a total of $100,392 in JAG Program funds for Marion County.
The request to approve these funds will be presented to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 7.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that the funds be allocated in the following manner:
- $40,156 to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to be used for its Intel Unit and crime prevention.
- $25,100 to the Ocala Police Department to be used for a technology initiative.
- $8,784 to the Marion Courts to be used for youth court programs.
- $8,784 to Marion County Public Schools to be used for drug education and prevention in public schools.
- $8,784 to the Dunnellon Police Department to be used for a laptop computer project.
- $8,784 to the Belleview Police Department to be used for equipment enhancement.
County staff is recommending approval, which would authorize the chairman to execute a letter to FDLE approving the allocation of funds as indicated above. The commissioners will vote on whether to approve or deny this request during their regularly scheduled meeting on September 7.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium (601 SE 25th Avenue in Ocala) unless otherwise noted.