TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Oscar Ortiz, Sheriff-Coroner
REPORT BY: Rollie Soria, Sheriff’s Administrative Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution for Boating Safety Enforcement Aid Program FY 2026-2027
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution approving the Sheriff’s Office to apply for and accept a grant award from the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program. (Fiscal Impact: $308,150 Revenue; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The primary focus of the Sheriff’s Office efforts on boating safety and enforcement is on Lake Berryessa. The Lake is 30 square miles of waterways with marinas, resorts, and public use areas. The United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) manages the lake, but has no enforcement authority and is not equipped to perform any boating safety enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Office duties at Lake Berryessa include, but are not limited to, enforcing all boating laws, state laws, county ordinances, boating safety inspections and instruction, vessel accident investigations, search and rescue, emergency medical transports from the water or inaccessible areas, special events and boat safety consultation to BOR and the resorts. Sheriff’s Office patrols Lake Berryessa on a full-time basis with added coverage during spring and summer months. In addition to Lake Berryessa, the Sheriff’s Office also conducts checks of Lake Hennessy, a small municipal water supply approximately two square miles in size and provides frequent boating safety inspections to the 75 shoreline miles of Napa River.
One (1) Sergeant and three (3) Deputies are assigned full-time to the Sheriff’s Office Boat Patrol. During peak season periods, additional Deputies are assigned to Boat Patrol. Other expenses incurred are maintenance and fuel for patrol boats and equipment purchases. The Sheriff’s Office Boat Patrol activities are partially funded by the California Department of Parks and Recreations, Division of Boating and Waterways through the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program.
Approval of the Resolution will allow the Sheriff’s Office to apply for and accept a grant award from the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program through the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for FY 2026-27. It will authorize the Sheriff or designee to sign quarterly activity reports, claim forms and other documents for submission to the Division of Boating and Waterways. It will also authorize the County Auditor-Controller to certify the amount of prior year vessel taxes received by the County. Based on historical awards, the Sheriff’s Office anticipates a grant award of approximately $308,150 and vessel taxes in the amount of $67,424 to support Boat Patrol activities.
Requested Actions:
1. Adoption of a Resolution to apply for and accept a grant award from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Boating and Waterways for the term July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to conduct boating safety and enforcement activities.
2. Appoint the Sheriff or designee to execute all documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, quarterly activity reports, payment requests, claim forms and other documents that may be required, subject to County Counsel approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Sheriff’s Operations Budget - 1360000 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
There is no mandate to apply for and accept grant funds. However, these grant funds are used to offset the expenses associated with Boat Patrol personnel salaries & benefits, boat supplies, and equipment maintenance & repair. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Awarded funds will be budgeted accordingly in future fiscal years. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, the Sheriff’s Office will be unable to apply for and potentially receive fund from the Boating and Enforcement Aid Program. |
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Strategic Initiative |
Elevate County Service and Workforce Excellence |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.