DATE: August 11, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Retroactive 2026 Coverdell Forensic Grant Application and Award
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and adopt Resolution authorizing the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator, or his designee, as the official designated to execute a Grant Application/Agreement, including Certificate of Assurance and Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment forms for the 2026 Paul Coverdell grant from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program, including any Amendments, extensions, or other required documents, which assists forensic laboratories to improve their efficiency and effectiveness to provide forensic science services through improvement of the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services, effective retroactive to July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 ($50,834); and
2. Adopt a Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2026-27 appropriations and estimated revenues for Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111 in the amount of $50,834 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The non-competitive grant application (2026 Coverdell Forensic Grant) was exclusively issued to thirty-one crime laboratories in California, which includes the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, contingent on your Board's approval. Divisions of the Department of Justice (DOJ), such as the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) working through Cal OES, have awarded this grant to assist local forensic laboratories in improving the quality and timeliness of forensic services. The Sheriff's Office (Department) will use the grant funds to provide continuing education and training in technical and professional skills to the laboratory's forensic scientists, and, additionally, to fund the purchase of two microscopes, a bulle...
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