FY 2009 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant Program

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Johnson County will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $89,965 to purchase equipment, renovate the office with new work stations, and to replace the flooring in the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office will purchase three new Zetron dispatch consoles that will enhance the overall operation of the Telecommunications Center. The department will also replace the raised flooring that was constructed with inmate labor. The department will replace the current work stations that will accommodate the five PSAP (Points of Service Answering Positions) that Johnson County is allocated. Currently two telecommunicators are working from one station. These modifications will accommodate a sixth PSAP that will be needed in the near future. These enhancements will modernize the work environment, allow more efficient services to be provided to law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, and better serve the citizens of Johnson County.

NCA/NCF