DATE: March 1, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Budget Transfer for Boating Unit Vehicle Purchase
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Clerk to the Board to execute Budget Transfer No. 25 ($60,000) transferring FY 2015-16 appropriations within the Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111, from Account 7400 (Special Departmental Expense), to Account 8300 (Equipment) for the purchase and up-fitting of one replacement vehicle for the Sheriff-Coroner’s Boating Unit.
REPORT
There is no additional net County cost associated with the recommended action. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will use services and supplies savings in the department’s current year budget to purchase one Ford F-250 truck to include up-fitting of a law enforcement radio and equipment ($60,000). The existing vehicle is a 2002 Ford F250. After more than 13 years of use, primarily towing vessels, the vehicle had a complete engine failure, requiring an entirely new engine. Based on the age and mileage of the vehicle, it is not financially feasible to replace the engine of such an old vehicle. A replacement vehicle is necessary to meet the Unit’s towing requirements and to maintain the mission and responsibilities of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Boating Unit.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved by your Board, the Department will not be able to purchase the requested vehicle, which will hamper the Department’s Boating Unit’s ability to tow their vessels.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional net County cost associated with the recommended action, as services and supplies savings in the Sheriff-Coroner FY 2015-16 adopted budget Org 3111 will fund the cost of the vehicle. The approval of the recommended action will allow the Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111 to transfer FY 2015-16 adopted appropriations in the amount of $60,000 between accounts to purchase one Ford F-250. Maintenance costs are included in the FY 2015-16 adopted budget for the Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111 and will be included in future requested budgets.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Boating Safety Unit consists of three full-time year round positions (one Sheriff’s Sergeant and two Deputy Sheriffs) and ten seasonal employees from May to September.
The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Boating Safety Unit has the primary responsibility for the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to the operation of watercraft within the County of Fresno. The Boating Unit patrols the areas of Shaver Lake, Pine Flat Lake, Huntington Lake, and the Kings Rivers. The Boating Unit enforces the California Harbors and Navigation Code, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Federal Code of Regulations 33 USC, and those provisions of the Fresno County Ordinance that relate to water related activities. The Boating Unit enforces these provisions by means of patrol vessel, surface vehicle and foot patrol.
The Sheriff-Coroner Boating Safety Unit purchased the current Ford F-250 in October 2002. In the last thirteen years, the vehicle was primarily used for towing vessels in the Sheriff-Coroner Boating Safety Unit. In addition to towing vessels, the vehicle was also used in water related search and rescue missions and drowned person recovery callouts.
In December 2015, the engine blew out on the current Ford F-250, and the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Fleet Unit was advised that the estimated costs for the repair were unfeasible considering the lifespan and total mileage (177,700) of the vehicle.
The purchase of one Ford F-250 vehicle is necessary for the Boating Unit to have the capability to tow their vessels and operate adequately, especially during the summer boating season from May to September. Also, the new Ford F-250 will have the towing capacity for vessels ranging from 4000 to 8000 plus pounds.
The Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program was established to provide a supplement for the direct expenses of local governmental agencies whose waterways have a high transient boating usage and lack a sufficient tax base to support an adequate and effective boating safety and law enforcement program. On April 7, 2015, your Board approved a grant award of $452,764 to partially fund the estimated costs of $726,764 for the Boating Unit in FY 2015-16. Grant funds are not available for the purchase of the replacement vehicle. In addition, based on the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways policies and guidelines, the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program does not allow for the purchase of replacement vehicles.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #26, April 7, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Budget Transfer No. 25
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa