DATE: May 9, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney
SUBJECT: Adopt Budget Resolution increasing available appropriations for the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2022-23 appropriations and estimated revenues in the District Attorney’s Special Revenue Fund 0060, DOI Auto Insurance Fraud Program, Org 1104 in the amount of $30,125 (4/5 vote); and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2022-23 appropriations and estimated revenues in the District Attorney-Grants Org 2862 in the amount of $30,125 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with these actions, which are necessary to facilitate the transfer of the California Department of Insurance (CDI) grant funds from the Special Revenue Fund to the General Fund. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the department will not be able to transfer restricted funds for FY 2022-23 qualified expenditures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost (NCC) associated with these actions. On December 21, 2022, the CDI awarded to Fresno County $388,337 for the Auto Insurance Fraud program and on January 24, 2023, your Board approved a budget resolution increasing appropriations and revenues by $12,730 in the FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget for the District Attorney-Grants Org 2862. On March 1,2023, the CDI awarded an additional grant award amount of $30,125 for a total amended grant award amount of $418,462. This grant award, when combined with NCC of $121,464 provides $539,926 for the program. This amount is $30,125 more revenue than is included in in the FY 2022-23 adjusted appropriations for the District Attorney - Grants Org 2862. Approval of the recommended actions will align appropriations and revenues with the funding amount received from the CDI this fiscal year and allow the transfer of qualified expenditures. Increases in both Orgs are necessary to facilitate the transfer of funds from the Special Revenue Funds to the General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
On March 1,2023, the CDI reported a Fiscal Year 2021-22 year-end balance in the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program grant funding that was available to distribute to participating District Attorney Offices. This resulted in an increased grant award to the Department. The additional award is to be used in FY 2022-23 for the investigation and prosecution of automobile insurance fraud.
Per Management Directive 780 Fund Balance Policy, all departments are required to transfer restricted funds at least quarterly to the fund in which the qualified expenditures have been incurred. Additionally, in a memo dated March 23, 2020, from the County Administrative Officer and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, County departments have been directed to transfer restricted funds immediately upon incurring qualified expenditures. Approval of the recommended actions will align appropriations and revenues with the funding amount received from the DOI this fiscal year and allow the District Attorney to fulfill the County policy of immediate transfer of qualified expenditures.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #21, January 24, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution Org 1104
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution Org 2862
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck