DATE: September 13, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Retroactive Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) Addendum II to the MOU and Budget Transfer for HEAT Vehicle Purchase
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive reimbursement Addendum II to Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to fund law enforcement activities of the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) task force effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 ($60,000); and
2. Approve and authorize the Clerk to the Board to execute Budget Transfer No. 2 ($37,000) transferring FY 2016-17 appropriations within the Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111, from Account 7205 (Maintenance-Equipment), to Account 8300 (Equipment) for the purchase and up-fitting of one replacement vehicle for the Sheriff-Coroner’s HEAT Unit.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with these actions. The first recommended action will approve a retroactive reimbursement addendum II to allow the Sheriff-Coroner to reimburse the CHP for overtime and training costs associated with HEAT activities. The reimbursement shall not exceed $60,000 per year ($50,000 for Overtime and $10,000 for Training). The second recommended action will transfer $37,000 in equipment maintenance savings from the Sheriff-Coroner Office’s current year budget to purchase one vehicle to include up-fitting of a law enforcement radio and equipment necessary to meet the HEAT unit’s requirements.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose to not approve the first recommended action, and the Sheriff-Coroner’s office would not reimburse the CHP’s overtime and training costs. This could impact the level of participation by the CHP in the future as overtime hours are required to work longer details and provide the ability to testify in court hearings. If funding is reduced or not available, this would compromise the ability to meet these requirements. In addition, if your Board chooses to not approve the second recommended action, the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will not be able to purchase the required vehicle, which will result in the continued use of existing high mileage, maintenance prone vehicles and potentially affect their ability to address vehicle theft and related crimes.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The signed Addendum II was received from the CHP on July 20, 2016, and the Department is bringing it to your Board on the first available Board date within agenda item processing timelines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The overtime and training costs will be offset using HEAT funds that were allocated and approved in the Sheriff’s FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget Org 3111. Budget Transfer No. 2, will transfer existing FY 2016-17 appropriations in the amount of $37,000 within the Sheriff-Coroner’s Org. 3111 from Account 7205 (Maintenance-Equipment), to Account 8300 (Equipment) to allow the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office to purchase one replacement vehicle. Maintenance equipment savings in the Sheriff-Coroner FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget Org 3111 will fund the cost of the vehicle.
DISCUSSION:
In 1992, your Board authorized a resolution implementing Section 9250.14 of the Vehicle Code which permitted Fresno County to add a $1.00 assessment to vehicles registered with a Fresno County address. The funds can be used for programs which enhance the capacity of local police and prosecutors to deter, investigate and prosecute vehicle theft crimes. In 1992, your Board approved the use of the funds to address juvenile vehicle theft offenders in Fresno County by adding staffing capacity at Juvenile Hall by approximately 24 beds. Due to the spike in auto theft among adults, in FY 2012-13, your Board approved these funds for allocation to the Sheriff’s Office to implement an auto theft program for adults. Vehicle theft among adults continues to be a serious problem facing the residents of Fresno County. Victims of vehicle theft suffer financial harm and emotional distress from the loss of what many times is the only means of transportation for an entire family. The average victim in Fresno County can afford liability only insurance on their older model vehicles. If a victim is fortunate enough to have his/her vehicle recovered by law enforcement in one piece, the resulting tow fees and repair costs can be prohibitive.
On August 11, 2015, your Board approved a retroactive MOU with the CHP and Clovis Police Department to provide guidelines for the HEAT task force effective from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2017. In addition your Board approved a reimbursement Addendum I to the MOU to fund two years of overtime and training for the CHP in the amount of $60,000 per year ($50,000 for overtime and $10,000 for training), effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016.
Addendum II is required to facilitate continued reimbursement of these funds. Approval of Addendum II will allow for the transfer of funds between the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, the fiduciary facilitator for HEAT, and the CHP.
Addendum II will be effective from July 1, 2016 and will expire on June 30, 2017 or until expiration of the funds, whichever is earlier. This Addendum II can be terminated by the Sheriff-Coroner, Clovis Police Department, or the California Highway Patrol.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #33, August 11, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Addendum II to MOU
On file with Clerk - Budget Transfer (Org. 3111)
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa