Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Make Budget Adjustments to Accept and Appropriate the California Office of Traffic Safety Grant Award and Authorize the Use of Pooled Cash Up to $98,900 to Conduct the Grant Operations and Make Grant Purchases within the Grant Award
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to make budget adjustments to accept and appropriate the California Office of Traffic Safety Grant and authorizing the use of pooled cash up to $98,900 to conduct the grant operations and to make grant purchases within the grant award.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make budget adjustments to accept and appropriate the California Office of Traffic Safety’s Traffic Enforcement grant award up in the amount of $98,900; and,
B. Authorizing the use pooled cash up to conduct grant operations and make grant purchases within the grant award until grant reimbursement is received.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Merced Police Department (MPD) first received this same grant funding beginning in October 2007. MPD has applied for and been awarded grant funding each year since then.
Description
At the City Council meeting of January 20, 2026, City Council approved the Police Department applying for the California Office of Traffic Safety’s (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Grant by the due date of January 31st, 2026. In addition, the Administrative Report authorized the acceptance of the grant award if awarded, but no authority for budget adjustments. Without City Council approving the authority to make budget adjustments, the grant funding cannot be appropriated for expenses such as equipment, supplies, travel, and personnel costs.
The application was submitted by the due date in the amount of $392,131.60.
OTS is awarding us $98,900.
The grant provides funding under OTS’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant. The grant’s mission is to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes and other primary collision factors such speeding, running red lights, and avoiding stop signs. The funded strategies include conducting DUI checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, traffic safety patrols, motorcycle safety patrols, pedestrian/bicycle safety patrols, and distracted driving patrols. These operations are designed to earn media attention with press releases thus enhancing the overall deterrent effect for drinking and driving and obeying traffic laws. There is also funding to provide educational presentations to captive audiences regarding overall traffic safety. All operations are conducted on overtime status.
The award includes the following amounts:
Personnel & Benefits = $87,106
Travel (in state only) = $3,103
Supplies = $8,691
TOTAL REQUEST = $98,900
Match Amount = $-0-
This grant does not require a match of any type (in-kind or cash). It is a 100% reimbursement grant. Funds are first expended by the MPD and then requests for reimbursement are submitted on a quarterly basis. The grant program period will be October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting that Council authorize the Finance Officer to make budget adjustments to accept and appropriate the OTS grant award and authorize the use of pooled cash up to $98,900 to conduct grant operations and make grant purchases within the grant award until grant reimbursement is received.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Administrative Report K.3 from January 20, 2026
2. Resolution 2026-06 to Apply for the Grant