DATE: February 20, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Sheriff-Coroner Inmate Welfare Fund Purchases
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111 in the amount of $120,000 for the purchase of two new vehicles and equipment for the Sheriff-Coroner’s Graffiti Abatement Team (4/5 vote); and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations in the Special Revenue Fund Sheriff-Coroner’s Inmate Welfare Fund Org 1500 in the amount of $120,000 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will use funding from the Inmate Welfare Trust Fund (IWF) to purchase two replacement vehicles, computers, radios, and associated equipment for the Sheriff’s Graffiti Abatement Team (G.A.T.). This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Sheriff-Coroner will not be able to purchase replacement vehicles, which will result in the Department’s continued use of existing high mileage, maintenance prone vehicles and potentially affect the free graffiti abatement services for all citizens and businesses in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County.
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 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111 in the amount of $120,000 through an Operating Transfer In to cover the costs associated with purchasing two vehicles. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the FY 2017-18 appropriations in the amount of $120,000 as an Operating Transfer Out in the Sheriff-Coroner’s Org 1500 to allow for this purchase.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office G.A.T. program is designed to remove unwanted graffiti markings from the communities within Fresno County. The graffiti is often perpetrated by gang members who want to mark their territory or send a message to another gang. The G.A.T. is a free service for all citizens and businesses in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County. It aids the community by reducing or eliminating this type of criminal mischief through abatements, thus making each neighborhood or business safer and aesthetically pleasing for the citizens of Fresno County. Graffiti removal requests are generated via the Sheriff’s Webpage.
Graffiti removal in Fresno County is handled by two G.A.T. crews supervised by two Correctional Officers and comprised of eight inmates, four inmates assigned to each crew. The inmates that participate in the program are sentenced, non-violent, minimum classification inmates that are giving back to the community and are enriched with the experience and knowledge that they gain. Inmates assigned to the G.A.T. receive training in the operation of a commercial paint sprayer, and general landscape maintenance (sprinkler repair, tree pruning, planting). These skills provide them with opportunities for employment upon release from the Fresno County Jail. The G.A.T. program not only benefits the inmates but the community as a whole, with the goal of bringing down the recidivism rate thus adding to the rehabilitation of the inmates involved with the G.A.T. program.
The G.A.T. crews require a heavy duty pick up truck to effectively perform their daily tasks, not only for G.A.T. assignments, but also for community based events such as community clean ups. Due to the weight of the trailers they pull 5 days a week, two new F-250 Crew Cab XLT’s would accommodate the crews due to their versatility, durability, efficiency and safety rating as well as performance in pulling the heavy payload. The present vehicles that are assigned to the G.A.T. crews have been taken out of service from patrol units due to excessive mileage and are now assigned to G.A.T. The two new vehicles being requested can pull a heavy payload and provide a much safer and economical means. Funding for this purchase will be from the IWF, as the vehicles will be used to transport inmates and equipment associated with the G.A.T. program.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 3111)
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 1500)
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa