DATE: June 2, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Retroactive 2025 DNA Backlog Reduction Grant Application Acceptance and Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively approve and authorize the Sheriff's Office previous submittal of an online grant application on behalf of the County of Fresno to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the 2025 Forensic DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Grant ($358,258);
2. Retroactively approve, ratify and authorize the Sheriff's, or his designee's, execution of retroactive Grant Award Agreement Number 15PBJA-25-GG-01895-DNAX, in the Justice Grants System, which requires compliance with assurances and certifications during the performance of the Award/Agreement on behalf of the County of Fresno to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for the 2025 Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction Grant, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027 in the amount of $358,258; and
3. Authorize the Sheriff, or his designee, to sign and submit claims for reimbursement, activity reports, notices, extend the grant ending date to expend allocated funding, and approve other related documents consistent with the grant award.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Divisions of the Department of Justice (DOJ) have awarded this grant to assist local forensic laboratories that conduct DNA analysis with reducing casework backlog. This grant continuation will fund laboratory staff forensic training, DNA case analysis, and a dedicated Criminalist Specialist and Criminalist I position to assist the Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory in reducing this turnaround time. The competitive application was submitted electronically on October 14, 2025, to the DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance to meet the application deadline. The Sheriff's Office was notified on Ap...
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