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May 23, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting
Title
43. Approval of an Updated Memorandum of Understanding Between The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia, and The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah Regarding the Appointment of a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) to the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) to Further Local, State, and Federal Interests Related to Violent Crime in Savannah.
Strategic Priority
Public Safety
Description

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to continue to further local, state and federal interests related to violent crime in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia by appointing a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) that will work primarily on violent crime matters or cases in which the City is the originating agency and/or lead agency or in cases in which the City has a significant interest.

 

  1. Appointment, Duration, and Compensation
  1. The USAO may authorize and approve the appointment of an individual SAUSA from the City pursuant to the normal screening and vetting procedures established by the USAO. All current attorneys considered for appointment as a SAUSA shall be interviewed and appointed by the City with input from the USAO.
  2. The appointment shall be for an additional 3-year period indicated in the appointment letter, which shall be incorporated into this MOU as an addendum. Any appointment is subject to earlier termination by the USAO, or renewal or extension by mutual agreement. At all times during the term of this MOU, the SAUSA will remain an employee of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah.
  3. The appointment is made on a non-reimbursable basis. The USAO will not be responsible for providing any part of the SAUSA’s salary or benefits under this MOU. The position and the funding for the salary and benefits will be provided by The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah warrants that it is authorized, through its appropriated funds, to provide the funding as described herein. 
  4. The USAO will be responsible for all expenses incurred by the SAUSA in the course of his/her duties as a SAUSA, including travel and training expenses. The SAUSA must obtain prior approval from the USAO for all expenses incurred, consistent with the policies of the USAO. The USAO will provide government travel cards to the SAUSA if necessary, to carry out duties within the scope of this MOU. Issuance of a government travel card is contingent upon the SAUSA’s eligibility to obtain a card under the Federal Government’s Travel Card Program.
Recommendation

Approval

Contact
Bates Lovett, City Attorney, Office of City Attorney
Financial Impact
N/A
Review Comments
Attachments
Exhibit 1: SAUSA Memorandum of Understanding Between USAO and City of Savannah - May 2024.pdf
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