DATE: October 11, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Application for Financial Aid for the Boating Safety Program for FY 2017-18
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the submission of an Application for Financial Aid in the amount of $1,527,556.15 to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways for the FY 2017-18 Boating and Enforcement Aid Program in Fresno County.
REPORT
This application is for continuation of financial aid from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways. The FY 2017-18 application will provide for basic boating and safety enforcement needs in Fresno County and if approved, will fully fund the Boating Enforcement Unit’s three full-time positions (one Sheriff’s Sergeant and two Deputy Sheriffs); ten seasonal employees; operational costs; and equipment and allow for an expansion in services the unit can provide. On March 15, 2016, your Board approved the FY 2016-17 Boating Unit’s operational agreement in the amount of $452,764, which partially funds the unit’s costs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended action, the Department will not be able to submit the application resulting in the loss of the Boating and Waterways grant funds for FY 2017-18.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The financial aid application for FY 2017-18 is in the amount of $1,527,556.15. The application includes revenue from property taxes assessed on boats registered in Fresno County, which is estimated to be $47,102 in FY 2017-18. The State will allocate funding based on the Net Cost submitted, which will not be determined until February 2017.
DISCUSSION:
The Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program was established to provide financial aid to local governmental agencies whose waterways have a high transient boating usage and lack a sufficient tax base to support an adequate and effective boating and law enforcement program.
The State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways provides financial aid to counties for their boating safety programs based on the needs of the area less revenues generated from property taxes assessed on boats in the County.
On January 20, 1982, your Board approved the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office Boating Enforcement Unit, and an application for financial aid has been authorized each fiscal year thereafter. The Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways must receive applications six months prior to the beginning of the application period. If approved, the department will return with the Agreement for your Board’s approval.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 32, March 15, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Boating Safety and Enforcement Application
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa