DATE: March 9, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Budget Resolutions to Purchase Drug Analyzer, Undercover Vehicles and
Rebuild Sheriff’s Helicopter Engine
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2020-21 appropriations for the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Fund 0095, Subclass 17665, Federal Asset Forfeiture Org 1466 in the amount of $478,000 (4/5 vote); and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2020-21 appropriations and estimated revenues for Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 31116313 in the amount of $478,000 to purchase a drug analyzer, undercover vehicles and an engine rebuild for the Sheriff’s helicopter (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions as Federal asset forfeiture funds will be utilized for these purchases including a drug analyzer to replace the current aging system for the Forensics Lab, five (5) undercover vehicles to replace aging vehicles for the Special Investigation Task Force (SITF), and to rebuild the helicopter’s engine that will enable the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit (ASU) to continue safe operations with the helicopter. The recommended actions will establish appropriations and estimated revenues in the appropriate accounts for these expenses. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended actions and the Sheriff’s Office would not be able to replace an aging drug analyzer that will no longer have maintenance services, five aging undercover vehicles with over 100,000 miles and not be able to rebuild the helicopter’s engine that will enable ASU to continue safe operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the first recommended action will increase the FY 2020-21 appropriations in the Sheriff’s Special Revenue Fund (SRF) Federal Asset Forfeiture Treasury Org 1466 to process an Operating Transfer Out. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the FY 2020-21 appropriations and estimated revenues in Sheriff’s Org 31116313 to process an Operating Transfer In. The recommended budget resolutions will add sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues to the Sheriff’s operating budget Org 3111 to allow for the purchase of a drug analyzer, five undercover vehicles and an engine rebuild for the Sheriff’s helicopter in the amount of $478,000.
DISCUSSION:
Federal Asset Forfeiture monies are received from the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury from property seized during special narcotic investigations based on the Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement. The primary purpose of the Forfeiture program is for law enforcement to deter crime by depriving criminals of the profits and proceeds of their illegal activities and to weaken criminal enterprises by removing the instrumentalities of crime.
The current drug analyzer is eighteen years old and the vendor will no longer support the maintenance services or provide replacement parts. If the drug analyzer is not replaced, the Forensic Laboratory will not be able to conclusively identify drugs that may cause a number of problems including release of suspect(s) because no analysis could be performed, delays in filing cases at the District Attorney’s Office and officer safety issues due to not knowing if the drugs they have purchased were real or fake. The new drug analyzer, estimated to cost $108,000, will be a PC based system for the conclusive identification of controlled substances that will allow communication and sharing data with other Forensic labs.
The vehicles will be utilized to replace aging vehicles within the SITF unit for undercover narcotic operations. The five vehicles, including up-fitting with the proper equipment, are estimated to cost $200,000. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a fleet of patrol vehicles to provide a law enforcement presence for the unincorporated areas of the County’s 6,000 square miles.
The Fresno Sheriff’s Office has two MD 500E helicopters. The helicopters require regular maintenance and have to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and manufacturer regulations on repairs and inspections. Helicopter N922SD has a scheduled engine overhaul due in 89 flight hours. The other helicopter N921SD is 31 years old and has not been repainted since 1997 and is due for an airframe corrosion and inspection that can only be performed when the paint is stripped from the aircraft. Once the paint is removed aircraft technicians can complete a thorough inspection of the airframe. If there is any ware or damage to the airframe observed the proper repairs will be made. The aircraft will be repainted to prevent any corrosion. The ASU regularly supports the SITF with surveillance, marijuana cultivation detections and confirmation, photo missions and long-line operations.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 1466)
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 3111)
CAO ANALYST:
Yussel Zalapa