TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects in the Amount of $200,000, and Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable Under the City Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal Review, Should the Grant be Awarded to the City.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects, in the amount of $200,000, and authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as applicable under the City Charter, to execute all funding documents after legal review, should the grant be awarded to the City.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2026 LEMHWA Implementation Projects, in the amount of $200,000, and authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as applicable under the City Charter, to execute all funding documents after legal review, should the grant be awarded to the City.
• Pros: These funds will provide the City with up to $200,000 in federal funding to fully implement an officer readiness and wellness initiative.
• Cons: Staff have not identified any foreseeable consequences to approving this application.
Option 2: Deny the application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2026 LEMHWA Implementation Projects, in the amount of $200,000.
• Pros: Staff have not identified any foreseeable benefits to denying this application.
• Cons: The City would not receive reimbursement for the costs associated to fully implement an officer readiness and wellness initiative.
Background Information
The City of North Port has applied to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2026 LEMHWA Implementation Projects for $200,000 to support the full implementation of an officer readiness and wellness initiative.
LEMHWA funds are used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices of wellness programs.
The proposed initiative will expand upon a pilot program currently in place that focuses on Officer wellness and mental health. If awarded, services would be used to purchase and implement a digital wellness application for agency-wide use, provide access to psychological screenings and licensed clinical and counseling services, and provide for an assortment of training on wellness related topics.
This is a reimbursement grant; the City will incur eligible costs and then request reimbursement from the granting agency.
If awarded, the Grant Agreement will be reviewed by the City Attorney to ensure that it is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Safe Community
Financial Impact
If awarded, the City will be eligible for reimbursement of up to $200,000 in LEMHWA funds for an Officer readiness and wellness initiative associated activities as specified above and in the grant application. Matching funds are not required for this award. There is no requirement to sustain software and application once the grant performance period ends.
Revenue Account
001-0000-331.20-00 - Federal Grants / Federal - Public Safety
Expenditure Accounts
001-2100-521.54-00 - Subscriptions
001-2100-521.14-00 - Overtime
001-2100-521.55-00 - Training and Education
001-2100-521.31-07 - Psychological Evaluations
Procurement
If awarded, all relevant procurement codes, policies and procedures will be followed when purchases are made.
Attachments: 1. Grant Application
Prepared by: Jennifer Sadonis, Grants Coordinator
Valerie Malingowski, CFM, CGMS, Grants Division Manager
Department Director: Kaitlyn Griffin, MPA, Performance and Accountability Officer