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City Council Report Date: May 18, 2026 To: City Council Through: Ken Cost, Assistant City Manager From: Kim Meza, Mesa Public Safety Support Department Director Kristi Griffin, Sr Fiscal Analyst, Mesa Public Safety Support Subject: Grant Award from the Office of Justice Programs – FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program (Citywide) Purpose and Recommendation The Mesa Public Safety Support Department is respectfully requesting that the Mesa City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a Grant Award with the Office of Justice Programs, to accept $228,253 in grant funds for the Public Safety Support Department’s Forensic Services Division for DNA capacity enhancement and backlog reduction. Background The Mesa Public Safety Support Department’s Forensic Services Biology Unit is responsible for processing biological evidence from homicides, sexual assaults, burglaries, and numerous other crimes. During 2025, the unit processed over 3,400 samples and prepared over 1,300 reports regarding their scientific analyses. The laboratory is a National DNA Index System participant. Discussion The goals of the Biology Unit are to increase capacity and reduce backlog. To accomplish this, grant funds will be used for software licenses and annual maintenance, training and the continued funding of personnel costs for a grant-funded employee. Alternatives If this Grant Award is declined, the Mesa Public Safety Support Department’s Biology Unit will not accomplish their goal of increasing the number of samples processed and reducing the turnaround time for all requests (persons and property crimes). Fiscal Impact The award amount is $228,253 and no match is required. Mesa Public Safety Support Department personnel will be responsible for submitting invoices to the Office of Justice Programs. The Office of Justice Programs will remit monies due upon receipt of the invoices. Coordinated With The City of Mesa Public Safety Support Department recommends the approval of the Grant Award from the Office of Justice Programs for the DNA Backlog Reduction Grant Program. 2