DATE: September 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Retroactive Replacement Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Annual Agreement for FY 2025-26
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive replacement revenue Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, which will terminate and replace Agreement No. 25-167 for the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Annual Agreement for FY 2025-26, previously approved by your Board on May 6, 2025, which decreases the grant to the County by $132,390 for Sheriff’s Office Boating and Waterways grant funds, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026 ($320,374); and
2. Adopt a Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2025-26 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111 in the amount of $1,026 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
The recommended actions are necessary due to a decrease in the grant award from the prior year. Due to the insolvency of the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, additional reductions were identified, and Governor’s Budget was signed for the effective date of July 1, 2025. On May 6, 2025, your Board approved the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Agreement No. 25-167 in the amount of $452,764 and on December 3, 2024, your Board approved the submission of an application for the continuation of the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways. The recommended actions will approve a replacement Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways and decrease the grant amount by $132,390 from $452,764 to the amended amount of $320,374. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If your Board does not approve the recommended actions, the Sheriff’s Office will lose these Boating and Waterways grant funds for FY 2025-26. This will impact the Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit’s ability to support an adequate and effective boating safety and law enforcement program.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The Sheriff’s Office received notification on July 7, 2025 of a decrease in funds for the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways for FY 2025-26, with the effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The first recommended action will decrease the total original grant award of $452,764 by $132,390, to $320,374, and will continue to fund direct costs associated with the Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit. Approval of the second recommended action will increase FY 2025-26 appropriations and estimated revenues in the amount of $1,026 from a supplemental grant from the federal Recreational Boating Safety grant in the amount of $133,416 and decrease in the amount of ($132,390) from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways financial in the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator’s Org 3111 in the amount of $1,026 Recommended Budget. The department's recommended budget submission included the capital asset expense of $133,416 but omitted the related revenue. To address this omission, it was recommended including the revenue in this resolution for adjustment.
DISCUSSION:
On May 6, 2025, your Board approved the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Annual Agreement for FY 2025-26 in the amount of $452,764. However, on July 7, 2025 the Sheriff’s Office was notified that the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid (Subvention) program is reduced temporarily, which resulted in a reduction to all agencies participating in the program. This is due to the insolvency of the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, so additional reductions were identified.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit has primary responsibility for the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to the operation of watercraft with Fresno County. The Boating Unit investigates boating accidents on all waterways within Fresno County and patrols the areas of Pine Flat Lake, Shaver Lake, Kings River, Huntington Lake, Wishon Reservoir, Courtwright Reservoir, Edison Lake, Florence Lake, Redinger Lake, San Joaquin River, and Mendota Slough.
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 Ordinance Code of Fresno County regarding water related activities. The Boating Unit also uses and maintains a fleet of eleven vessels, which vary from inflatable rescue boats, jet skis, and jet-powered river boats, to ocean-capable lake patrol boats. The Boating Unit’s patrol function is to promote a safe boating experience for all involved. While on patrol, the Deputies conduct inspections of vessels for required equipment and registration. The Boating Unit’s goal is to educate the public on water safety. The Boating Unit annually gives presentations to thousands of school-aged children, to teach them about water safety, and the importance of wearing a life jacket. The Boating Unit also gives presentations on boating laws and water safety to all age groups.
The Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program was established to provide a supplement for the expenses of local government 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 January 20, 1982, the Board approved the initial Boating Safety and Enforcement aid application, and an annual agreement has been authorized each fiscal year thereafter.
In order to receive funds, the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways requires a resolution adopted annually by the Board of Supervisors authorizing the County to participate in the program, authorizing the Chairman to execute the recommended agreement, and certifying that the County will expend the funds for boating safety programs during that year not less than an amount equal to 100% of the amount received by the County from personal property taxes on vessels. Additionally, the resolution must certify that program funds allocated to the County can only be used for the boating safety and enforcement programs that are conducted in the County.
The recommended agreement contains Special Provisions, in Section X, including a certification that the obligations created by the agreement do not violate the provisions of Sections 1090 to 1096 of the Government Code, conflicts of interest provisions, that the County will continue with its responsibilities under the agreement during any dispute, and that any allocation reduction for the program will result in a decrease of the County’s allotment.
On October 24, 2023, your Board approved the Boating Safety and Equipment Grant Application and Agreement in the amount of $133,416 to purchase a river boat. The river boat is estimated to be completed in 2026 or 2027, the appropriation was included in the FY 2026 requested budget under account 8300 program number 91921 and the second recommended action will also increase the estimated revenue in the amount of $133,416 under account 4375.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #23, May 6, 2025
BAI #35, December 3, 2024
BAI #26, October 24, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk – Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Agreement
On file with Clerk – Budget Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai