TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Minh C. Tran - County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Daniel Sanchez - Management Analyst
SUBJECT: 2021-2022 Citizens’ Option for Public Safety Funds
RECOMMENDATION
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County Executive Officer requests approval of a Budget Transfer increasing appropriations in the Special Revenue Fund Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (Fund 2500 Organization 1020086) in the amount of $248,595 with offsetting revenue from 2011 Realignment, Citizens’ Option for Public Safety, which will be transferred as needed to the Sheriff, District Attorney and Department of Corrections for operations.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sheriff, District Attorney and Department of Corrections receive funding under the Citizen’s Option for Public Safety program. This program is part of 2011 Realignment. The Board of Supervisors is required to approve expenditure plans before the Auditor-Controller allocates the funds to the Departments.
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? |
District Attorney; Sheriff; Corrections |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
This item is discretionary in that there is no mandate to accept or expend Citizen’s Option for Public Safety funding. The District Attorney, Sheriff and Department of Corrections receive these funds to offset the cost of law enforcement services and equipment to the General Fund and enhance the ability to perform assigned duties. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The funding will be budgeted accordingly in future fiscal years. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the item is not approved, the District Attorney, Sheriff and Department of Corrections will not be able to receive funding under the Citizen’s Option for Public Safety program. An alternative expenditure plan will need to be developed or funds will revert to the State. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
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Additional Information |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: This 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
The Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS) program provides funding to eligible local law enforcement agencies in the County of Napa. Funds are allocated from the Local and Public Safety Account which is funded by a portion of Vehicle License Fees. The Adopted Budget 2021-2022 inadvertently did not include a budget for the COPS program. The funds are provided to each law enforcement agency, each year, as prescribed in Section 30061-30065 of the Government Code to enhance law enforcement related operations. In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, the Sheriff's Office and the police departments in American Canyon, Calistoga, Saint Helena and Yountville are guaranteed a minimum of $100,000 each and it is estimated that $35,000 will be allocated to the District Attorney's Office. The Department of Corrections will receive an estimated $38,567. An estimated $120,429 will go to the City of Napa.
The Government Code requires the Auditor-Controller to release funds upon the certification of annual expenditure plans by the COPS Oversight Committee. Before the COPS Oversight Committee can certify expenditure plans, the governing body of the County and each city must approve the individual expenditures. The following is a brief summary of the expenditure request from each Department.
District Attorney
The District Attorney's Office estimates $35,000 in allocated funds in Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Funds will be used to purchase safety equipment and supplies, and to acquire technological and training resources necessary to enhance the work of the District Attorney Investigators. Specifically, the District Attorney's Office will be purchasing video and camera equipment for crime scene and case documentation and safety items such as Taser batteries and replacement cartridges for both training and carrying while on duty, OC Pepper Spray, Narcan replacements, continuing access to online records systems for investigative leads, and providing for training needs of investigative staff.
Sheriff
The Sheriff's Office has estimated $175,028 in allocated funds in Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The Sheriff is requesting approval to expend funds to partially offset the cost of one Deputy Sheriff position responsible for the coordination of the Sheriff's Activity League activities and other duties as assigned. COPS funds will cover approximately 71% of the cost of this position. The Sheriff's Activity League is a community-based crime prevention program that brings kids under the supervision and constructive influence of law enforcement and provides quality activities designed to develop discipline, self-esteem, mutual trust, and respect. The remainder of this position is funded by the County General Fund.
Department of Corrections
The Department of Corrections estimates $38,567 in allocated COPS funds in Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The funds will be directed to providing WiFi connectivity for nursing staff delivering health care to inmates assigned to the ground floor housing unit and to enhance reliability of video arraignments conducted from the ground floor.