Department
Superior Court Administration
Requested Action (Identify appropriate Action or Motion, purpose, cost, timeframe, etc.)
title
Request approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Court Accountability Courts to assign Crime Suppression Investigators to support the programmatic requirements of the drug treatment programs. The initial term of the agreement shall be from the date of BOC approval through June 30, 2030, with nine (5) five-year renewal options, contingent upon the approval by the Sheriff and the Board of Commissioners.
body
Requirement for Board Action (Cite specific Board policy, statute or code requirement)
GA CONST Art. 9, § 3, ¶ I, provides that the County may contract for any period not exceeding 50 years with any other public agency, public corporation, or public authority for joint services, for the provision of services, or for the joint or separate use of facilities or equipment; but such contracts must deal with activities, services, or facilities that the contracting parties are authorized by law to undertake or provide. O.C.G.A § 36-10-1. All official contracts entered into by the County governing authority with other persons on behalf of the County shall be in writing and entered on its minutes.
Strategic Priority Area related to this item (If yes, note strategic priority area below)
Justice and Safety
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☒
District 1 ☐
District 2 ☐
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
No
Summary & Background (First sentence includes Agency recommendation. Provide an executive summary of the action that gives an overview of the relevant details for the item.)
Investigators play a vital role in Georgia's Accountability Courts drug treatment program, supporting the court's mission to reduce recidivism, enhance public safety, and promote participant rehabilitation. Accountability Courts offer an alternative to traditional sentencing by providing treatment and support services to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. By working closely with judges, probation officers, case managers, and clinical treatment coordinators, investigators help maintain the integrity of the program. Their investigative support enhances the court's ability to identify risks, address participant needs, and uphold the principles of justice and rehabilitation.
Scope of Work: The purpose of the IGA is to ensure a cooperative arrangement between the FCSO and the Superior Court to arrange for select deputy or deputies, specifically, crime suppression investigators, to be assigned to provide support services to the Superior Court. These services include committing to the Accountability Court program’s mission and goals and working as a team member to ensure success including participation in required annual training and conferences. Providing to the team information pertaining to a participant’s fitness to participate in Accountability Court based on their criminal history and collaborating in court planning, which are multi-stakeholder meetings designed to review the individual participant’s progress and eligibility to participate in Accountability Court’s program to recommend responses to the Court. Facilitating the execution of bench warrants and court orders for participants in a timely fashion not to exceed 3 days. Providing transportation for program participants when needed. Acting as a liaison between Accountability Court and other agencies to gather pertinent information regarding participants’ activities in the community and to educate, inform, and provide training on the importance of the Accountability Court program. Monitoring participants in the community is inclusive but not limited to maintaining a participant caseload, conducting home visits, monitoring curfews, reporting on a participant’s activities in the community, monitoring clients on ankle monitors and virtual surveillance devices/phone applications, and supervising participation in community service/work detail. Providing assistance, information, and support to participants in the community to encourage their success.
Community Impact: This agreement will allow Accountability Court-assigned investigators to monitor participants in the community and respond with the full support of the FCSO; furthering the Accountability Court goal of reducing recidivism.
Department Recommendation: Superior Court Administration and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office recommend approval of this agreement.
Project Implications: This agreement will allow the assigned Accountability Court investigators to fulfill their duties with the full support of the FCSO as the assigned Law Enforcement Agency.
Community Issues/Concerns: Superior Court is not aware of any community concerns.
Department Issues/Concerns: Superior Court does not have any concerns with this request.
Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Funding Line 1:
100-450-4507-1000
Funding Line 2:
100-460-AC25-1000/Drug Treatment Grant
Funding Line 3:
100-460-MC25-1000/Mental Health Treatment Grant
Funding Line 4:
100-460-VT25-1000/Veterans Treatment Grant