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, ...
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