DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Retroactive Cooperation and Shared Responsibility Revenue Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Cooperation and Shared Responsibility Revenue Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools to provide high school students with entry-level dispatch training, effective September 15, 2025, through June 30, 2026, total not to exceed $10,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, which will develop an entry-level dispatch training program to be implemented and embedded into the existing Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Public Safety courses to provide high school students with industry relevant, entry-level dispatch training designed to strengthen a public safety career pathway and introduce students to potential careers as emergency dispatchers and first responders. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended action, the Sheriff’s Office will not be able to partner with FCSS to provide education and training to local high school students to expand public safety career pathways.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
This recommended agreement is retroactive due to the length of time required for approval of the agreement. The signed agreement was received from FCSS on December 11, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The Sheriff’s Office will receive $2,750.00 for three 5-day dispatch training sessions and $1,750 for the development of the entry-level dispatch training program to be implemented and embedded into existing ROP Public Safety courses, the total of which shall not exceed $10,000. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator’s Org 3111 for FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Sheriff’s Office, through FCSS, to provide entry-level dispatch training to high school students at Kerman High School, Firebaugh High School, and Central High School. FCSS provides a content coordinator to serve as a liaison between designated school sites to assist with the coordination and scheduling of each dispatch training session while providing a dispatch training simulator and print training materials required for the facilitation of each training session. The recommended agreement is retroactive from September 15, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The collaborative partnership with FCSS/Fresno ROP provides certified dispatch trainers utilizing Sheriff’s Office-developed curriculum that will be embedded directly into existing ROP Public Safety courses, provide students with the opportunity to engage in foundational skills development, real world simulations, and exposure to dispatch operation and protocols. Upon students’ successful completion of the dispatch training, FCSS will provide students with a certificate of completion to support early career exploration and future entry-level employment opportunities in the dispatch field. The recommended agreement will also provide ROP Public Safety instructors with instructional support and enhanced alignment with industry standards through this collaborative training model.
The recommended agreement deviates from the County model contract in that it contains mutual indemnification and insurance clauses. However, the Sheriff’s Office believes that the benefits associated with entering into the recommended agreement outweighs any potential risks, as a prudent business decision.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with FCSS
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai