DATE: July 18, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Sheriff’s Office Drone Purchase for Civil Unit
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2023-24 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator’s Org 31112401 in the amount of $40,000 for the purchase of two drones for the Sheriff’s Civil Unit (4/5 vote); and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2023-24 appropriations in the Sheriff Automated GC 26731 Org 1455 in the amount of $40,000 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with these actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Sheriff’s Office to utilize Sheriff Civil Automation funds for the purchase of two new drones for the Civil Unit. The drones will be used during civil service operations and in supporting homeless encampment cleanup operations This item is countywide
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the Sheriff’s Office will not be able to purchase drones and will not have the capacity for large area mapping of homeless encampment areas, which will result in the continued use of maps that were drafted with older technology. Also, the Sheriff’s office will not be able to use this tool in mitigating risk during sensitive civil service operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with these recommended actions; the costs will be fully offset with Civil Automation funds. Approval of recommended action No. 1 will increase FY 2023-24 appropriations and estimated revenues in the amount $40,000 for the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 31112401 to purchase two new drones through an Operating Transfer In from the Sheriff Automated GC 26731 Org 1455. Approval of recommended action No. 2 will increase the FY 2023-24 appropriations by $40,000 in the Sheriff Automated GC 26731 Org 1455 using available fund balance to fund an Operating Transfer Out to the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 31112401 ($40,000). Maintenance costs will be included in the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator’s FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget Org 3111 and will be included in future requested budgets.
DISCUSSION:
The Sheriff’s Civil Unit currently uses drones to map homeless encampments, search the interior of structures, and as overwatch during high-risk evictions. In the past 12 months, the Civil Unit has used drones to map 26 homeless encampments. These maps are extremely helpful during the planning phase of the cleanup. The maps created are shared with Public Works, environmental Health, County Counsel, CAO’s Office, and vendors to accurately grasp the size and complexity of the cleanup. There are currently two drone pilots within the Civil Unit who are qualified to fly department drones. These drones will increase the capabilities of the Civil Unit to safely perform high-risk evictions and accurately document homeless encampments.
Pursuant to Government Code 26731, $18.00 of any fee collected under specified sections of the Government Code shall be deposited into a special fund in the County treasury. Pursuant to Government Code 26731, funds deposited shall be for the exclusive use of the Sheriff’s Civil Division including the purchase of operating equipment for the Civil Division. The recommended actions will appropriate funds to purchase the drones for use in the Sheriff’s Civil Unit.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 3111)
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 1455)
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai