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27.

Meeting Date:	10/26/2015
Justice Benefits Contract Renewal
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to renew a contract agreement with Justice Benefits, Inc. to provide professional services as per Texas Local Government Code 262.024 (A)(4) Discretionary Exemptions in order to obtain reimbursements through federal financial participation projects for an additional period of Two (2) years effective October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2017, and authorizing the Webb County Judge to execute all relevant documents; and any other matters incident thereto.

Issue: Although there are many costs to the housing of federal inmates at the Webb County jail for which Webb County can seek federal reimbursement and due to the limitations of the current records management software, there are often obstacles in generating the very specific, abstruse, and complex customized data required by the federal government for successful reimbursement requests for each individual criminal alien housed at the jail.

Solution: Contract professional services with Justice Benefits, Inc. in order to increase federal reimbursement for costs associated with housing inmates facing federal charges, including aliens with felonious criminal violations, at the Webb County jail.

Result: Federal revenue maximization for Webb County as it seeks to increase its State Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) reimbursements.

Background:

Justice Benefits, Inc. provides specialized expertise in federal revenue maximization opportunities for state and local entities, such as Travis County, Harris County, Tarrant County, and Collin County. The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in conjunction with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The SCAAP Program currently provides federal reimbursement to state and local government agencies incurring costs related to the incarceration of illegal aliens convicted of felonious criminal charges.

Previous Court Action:

This contact is renewed on a biennial basis.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	Not Applicable
Funding Source:	Grant/Reimbursement
Balance:	To be Determined
Financial Impact:
The cost of these professional services is contingent, taken from the actual SCAAP reimbursement, and based on a percentage of the amount of federal financial assistance they are able to assist Webb County in obtaining. The baseline for Webb County is set at $115,000. Justice Benefits will be paid half its percentage contingency fee (11%) up to the baseline amount, and the full percentage contingency fee (22%) per its contract with Webb County on all additional amounts generated above this baseline amount.

Attachments
Renewal Contract
Last Contract
Contract Agreement- Justice Benefits, Inc. Executed