To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Apply for 2026 Justice Assistance Grant
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a Resolution authorizing the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to apply for, subject to compliance with certifications, the U.S. Department of Justice, FY2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in an initial amount of $168,994 for support of countywide law enforcement programming for the initial period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2029.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$168,994, Federal; No County match is required. The participating cities and County allocations are as follows:
County Allocation: $34,664
Antioch Allocation: $52,021
Richmond Allocation: $82,309
Total grant award: $168,994
Those are the FY26 federal allocations, and the disparate group now consists of Contra Costa County, Antioch, and Richmond.
BACKGROUND:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG FY2026 Grant is a formula grant with emphasis on assisting local efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence. Established to streamline justice funding and grant administration, the JAG Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) calculates a minimum base allocation for each state. Once the state funding is calculated, 60 percent of the allocation is awarded to the state and 40 percent to eligible units of local government. Local governments are awarded amounts based on their share of the total violent crime reported within the state. Based on a formula allocation, Contra Costa County has been designated as a disparate jurisdiction because a city within the county is scheduled to receive 150% more than the county while the county bears more than 50% of the costs associated with the prosecution and incarceration of that city’s Part I violent crime.
Jurisdictions certified as disparate must identify a fiscal agent that will submit a joint application for the total eligible allocation. The Office of the Sheriff has been designated as the fiscal agent for this grant, and if approved, will manage and oversee the distribution of the funds for all participating agencies within the county.
The eligible jurisdictions within Contra Costa County have a scheduled distribution totaling $168,994 with $34,664 allocated to the County. If approved, the county allocation will go directly to the Office of the Sheriff.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the Board decide against granting authority to apply for this grant funding, the Sheriff’s Office will be unable to apply for the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, which will impact eligible local cities.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF
Applying for the U.S. Department of Justice 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG);
WHEREAS,
The County of Contra Costa is seeking funds available through the U.S. Department of Justice;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
end
that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County does hereby authorize the Sheriff-Coroner, Undersheriff, or the Sheriff’s Chief of Management Services, to execute for and on behalf of the County of Contra Costa, a public entity established under the laws of the State of California, any actions necessary for the purpose of applying for Federal financial assistance, including grant modifications and extensions, provided by the U.S. Department of Justice related to the 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.