TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Oscar Ortiz - Sheriff - Coroner
REPORT BY: Rollie Soria - Staff Services Analyst II
SUBJECT: Budget Adjustment & Capital Asset Purchase: Search & Rescue Trailer
RECOMMENDATION
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Sheriff requests approval of a Budget Transfer transferring $5,655 from Law Enforcement Supplies to Equipment appropriation within Sheriff’s budget and establishment of a capital asset in the amount of $5,655 for the purchase of an Echo Elite Trailer. (4/5 vote required)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2020, Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit’s (SAR) off-road vehicle trailer was involved in a jackknife accident, causing irreparable damage and rendering it a total loss. Approval of today’s actions would allow the Sheriff’s Office to purchase a replacement trailer and establish it as a capital asset. The trailer is used to transport SAR off-highway vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility vehicles (UTV).
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN 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? |
Since creation of the FY 2021/2022 budget, trailer prices have increased. $2,000 for SAR trailer replacement was budgeted in Sheriff’s Office law enforcement supplies account. SAR total budget in law enforcement supplies account is $10,000. The additional cost of the trailer will come from within that budgeted amount. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
In 2020, the Sheriff’s Office SAR trailer was involved in a vehicle jackknife accident, resulting in irreparable damage to the trailer. A replacement trailer is needed to keep the SAR Unit and its vehicles mission ready. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Maintenance and registration costs will be budgeted in future fiscal years. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, Sheriff’s office will not purchase the trailer and the SAR Unit would not have a replacement trailer to transport its off-highway vehicles. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Effective and Open Government |
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.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Napa County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit (SAR) provides search and rescue services to all areas of the county. The unit’s mission is to locate and rescue victims in urban areas or wild lands, aircraft and boating accidents, and in natural or manmade disasters. The unit is always mission ready and available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The unit is primarily comprised of civilian volunteers with expertise in search and rescue skills, including ground tracking, emergency medicine, rope rescue, ATV/UTV, helicopter operations and search management.
The unit is overseen by liaison officers assigned by the Sheriff’s Office. SAR conducts search and rescue operations using off-highway vehicles owned and maintained by the Sheriff’s Office. Currently, SAR utilizes two utility vehicles (UTV) and two off-highway motorcycles to aid in search and rescue operations. A trailer is used to transport these off-road vehicles to and from SAR operations.
In 2020, the SAR trailer was involved in a jackknife accident while being towed, resulting in major damage. Carl’s Body Shop, Inc. in St. Helena assessed the damage and advised that the trailer frame was bent beyond repair and was a total loss. The Sheriff’s Office proposes to purchase an Echo Elite Trailer as a replacement, which would allow SAR to continue to use all vehicles at its disposal during operations.
Approval of today’s actions will allow Sheriff’s Office to purchase an Echo Elite Trailer with no change to total appropriations and establish it as a capital asset in the amount of $5,655.