The request is for the City Council to approve the revised Operation Stonegarden Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) and the New Port Richey Police Department (NPRPD) to allow our department to seek cost reimbursements for police operations under a Homeland Security Grant that the Sheriff’s Office administers.

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) is a Homeland Security Grant Program that provides overtime and equipment funding for state and local law enforcement agencies in support of border security specific operations. The council approved this MOU on 9/17/24; however, there have been some minor revisions to the MOU that require us to bring this back to you for approval.

The revisions to the MOU are highlighted in yellow in your back material and are as follows:

•  The grant number changed from RO461 to RO545

•  Section III e. (Terms and procedures of Operation Stonegarden) was changed to add grant number RO545.

• Section g. was added to Section III and states the following: All Parties agree that any allocations and use of funds under the OPSG Border Security Grant, shall be in accordance with the guidelines of the grant.

• In section V. iii. (Fiscal) the language was changed to require us to send PSO Stonegarden reimbursement invoices within 45 business days of an operation as opposed to within 10 business days of an operation.

• In section V. (Fiscal) the revised MOU added section iv. with language that disallows grant reimbursement if we do not send reimbursement invoices within 45 days of an operation as per section V. iii.

• Section V. c iii. was changed to require our agency to provide the Sheriff’s Office with a designated contact person for this MOU within 15 business days of its execution.

• In section VII K. (Miscellaneous) is highlighted as a change; however, the language still allows all parties to terminate their participation in the MOU by providing (30) days’ written notice to all other parties.

By signing this revised MOU, our agency is bringing in more resources and funding to combat the importation of illegal drugs into the Tampa Bay Area. As the City Council is aware, we entered into grant agreements with the United States Department of Justice and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for resources to combat certain elements of illegal narcotics activity. This MOU brings forth even more funded resources to combat illegal drug activity.

City Attorney Tim Driscoll reviewed the revised MOU and approved it as to form.