HomeMy WebLinkAboutA022 - Resolution approving Memorandum of Understanding with Story County grant funding 2026 Dep of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Ast Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Ast Grant-JAG ProgITEM #:22
DATE:09-22-26
DEPT:POLICE
SUBJECT:2026 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL
JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In August 2026, the Ames Police Department received notice that it is eligible to apply for
grant funding through the 2026 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of
Justice Assistance Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. JAG
funding may be used to support a broad range of criminal justice initiatives, including
personnel, training, equipment, technology, supplies, contractual support, and information
systems that improve or enhance law enforcement and public safety services.
Because the Story County Sheriff's Office provides jail services for Story County, grant
requirements mandate that both agencies participate in the application process. As a
result, the City of Ames and Story County must enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding regarding the application, administration, and use of any awarded grant
funds.
Total funding potentially available to the Ames Police Department and the Story County
Sheriff’s Office through this grant is $16,803. There is no match required with this grant.
The Ames Police Department proposes to use JAG funding to modernize a portion of its
patrol rifle inventory through the purchase of replacement patrol rifles, optics, weapon-
mounted lights, and related accessories. Patrol rifles are critical tools used during active
violence incidents, armed subject encounters, and other high-risk situations requiring
enhanced accuracy and effective threat mitigation.
The Department currently maintains an inventory of 16 rifle systems assigned to patrol
operations. Although these firearms continue to be maintained and remain operational, many
components have reached or are approaching the end of their practical service life. Many
upper receiver assemblies currently in service are estimated to be 15 to 20 years old and have
experienced substantial operational use, with estimated round counts approaching 20,000
rounds or more. In addition, these systems are increasingly outdated in terms of ergonomics,
optics compatibility, and accessory integration when compared to modern patrol rifle
platforms.
If awarded, grant funds would be used to replace approximately eight patrol rifle systems,
depending upon final equipment selection, procurement costs, and total grant funding
available. The replacement project would modernize approximately half of the Department's
patrol rifle inventory and improve officer safety, operational readiness, and community safety
by providing officers with reliable equipment that enhances target identification, accuracy, and
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overall response effectiveness during critical incidents.
Should funding remain after the purchase of complete rifle systems and be insufficient to
purchase an additional rifle package, remaining funds may be used to purchase compatible
optics, weapon-mounted lights, replacement components, or related accessories that enhance
the safety, functionality, and operational readiness of patrol rifle systems.
The Mayor will also be required to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Story County,
along with the certifications and assurances required by the grant program indicating the City's
agreement to comply with all grant terms and conditions.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Story County to apply for grant funding
under the 2026 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice
Assistance Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and
authorize application for that grant.
2. Do not approve the agreement with the Story County or the Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program grant application.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
JAG funds have been used productively during the past few years to purchase
equipment and provide training. The program has proven to be a valuable source of
funds for special purchases and programs. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City
Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
2026 Byrne Grant MOU.pdf
fy26-local-jag-ce-certification.pdf
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THE STATE OF IOWA
COUNTY OF STORY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, AND STORY COUNTY, IOWA
JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM AWARD
This Agreement is made and entered into this day of , 2026, by and between
the Story County, Iowa, acting by and through the Chair of the County Board of Supervisors as an
authorized agent for the county, hereinafter referred to as COUNTY, and the City of Ames, acting
by and through the Mayor as an authorized agent for the city, hereinafter referred to as AMES,
both of Story County, State of Iowa, witnesseth:
WHEREAS, under the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice
Assistance 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Formula Program, Local
Solicitation, hereinafter referred to as GRANT, funds have become available to the parties for use
in improving law enforcement programs; and
WHEREAS, the GRANT requires that the COUNTY and AMES agree on process for filing an
application for the acquisition, administration and expenditure of those funds; and,
WHEREAS, each governing body finds that the performance of this Agreement is in the best
interests of all parties, that the undertaking will benefit the public, and that the division of funds
and costs is equitable;
NOW THEREFORE, AMES and COUNTY agree as follows:
Section 1.
The parties are eligible for funding through the GRANT of up to $16,803.00. The parties agree
that AMES will file a single application on behalf of both parties that provides for distribution of
funds as follows:
To AMES - $16,803.00 to support the modernization of critical law enforcement equipment
through the replacement of aging patrol rifle systems and associated equipment. Grant funds will
be used to purchase patrol rifles, optics, weapon-mounted lights, mounting hardware, and related
accessories. The project will replace approximately eight patrol rifle systems, depending on final
equipment costs and available funding, improving officer safety, operational readiness, and
community safety through enhanced accuracy, target identification, and reliability during critical
incidents.
Section 2.
AMES shall be designated as the fiscal agent for the purposes of this GRANT and shall be
responsible for all administrative support to meet the requirements of the GRANT. COUNTY shall
not be responsible for any costs associated with the administration of the GRANT.
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Section 3.
Each party to this agreement will be responsible for its own actions in providing services under
this agreement and shall not be liable for any civil liability that may arise from the furnishing of the
services by the other party.
Section 4.
The parties to this Agreement do not intend for any third party to obtain a right by virtue of this
Agreement.
Section 5.
By entering into this Agreement, the parties do not intend to create any obligations express or
implied other than those set out herein; nor do they intend to create a separate legal entity for the
purposes of this GRANT, specifically they do not intend to create a legal entity authorized by
Chapter 28E of the Code of Iowa; further, this Agreement shall not create any rights in any party
not a signatory hereto.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their
authorized representatives.
Story County
By: Latifah Faisal, Chair
Story County Board of Supervisors Signature
City of Ames
By: John A. Haila, Mayor
City of Ames Signature
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program FY 2026 Local Solicitation
Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government
On behalf of the applicant unit of local government named below, in support of that locality’s application for an award
under the FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (“JAG”) Program, and further to
34 U.S.C. § 10153(a), I certify to the Office of Justice Programs (“OJP”), U.S. Department of Justice (“USDOJ”), that
all of the following are true and correct:
1.I am the chief executive of the applicant unit of local government named below, and I have the authority to make
the following representations on my own behalf as chief executive and on behalf of the applicant unit of local
government. I understand that these representations will be relied upon as material in any OJP decision to make an
award, under the application described above, to the applicant unit of local government.
2.I certify that no federal funds made available by the award (if any) that OJP makes based on the application
described above will be used to supplant local funds but will be used to increase the amounts of such funds that
would, in the absence of federal funds, be made available for law enforcement activities.
3.I assure that the application described above (and any amendment to that application) was submitted for review
to the governing body of the unit of local government (e.g., city council or county commission), or to an organization
designated by that governing body, not less than 30 days before the date of this certification.
4.I assure that, before the date of this certification— (a) the application described above (and any amendment to
that application) was made public; and (b) an opportunity to comment on that application (or amendment) was
provided to citizens and to neighborhood or community-based organizations, to the extent applicable law or
established procedure made such an opportunity available.
5.I assure that, for each fiscal year of the award (if any) that OJP makes based on the application described above,
the applicant unit of local government will maintain and report such data, records, and information
(programmatic and financial), as OJP may reasonably require.
6.I have carefully reviewed 34 U.S.C. § 10153(a)(5), and, with respect to the programs to be funded by the award
(if any), I hereby make the certification required by section 10153(a)(5), as to each of the items specified therein.
7.If the applicant named below is not the unit of local government itself, I certify that it is an instrumentality of the
unit of local government and is approved to serve as the applicant and recipient of FY 2026 JAG funding
on behalf of the unit of local government.
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Signature of Chief Executive of the Applicant Unit of
Local Government
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Printed Name of Chief Executive
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Rev. August 2026 5