DATE: April 9, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Purchase of Sheriff’s Bomb Truck and Upfitting
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute Budget Transfer No. 11 ($125,000) transferring appropriations within the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111, from Account 7385 (Small Tools & Instruments) and Account 7205 (Maintenance-Equipment) to Account 8300 (Equipment) for the purchase of a bomb truck and associated upfitting; and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2018-19 appropriations and estimated revenues for Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111 in the amount of $100,000 for the purchase of a bomb truck and associated upfitting (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, which will establish appropriations and estimated revenues in the appropriate accounts to facilitate the purchase of a bomb truck and associated upfitting using a combination of existing budgeted funding and new funding. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Sheriff’s Office will have to use the current bomb truck which is over twenty years old and has difficulty handling the weight capacity of the current bomb trailer and associated response equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The total cost of $250,000 utilizes $100,000 of Homeland Security 2016 funding, $25,000 of existing appropriated Justice Assistance Grant funding, $122,000 of existing appropriations in the Small Tools and Instruments Account (that are budgeted for modification of the current bomb truck), and $3,000 of existing appropriations in the Maintenance Equipment Account. The recommended Budget Transfer and Resolution will appropriate the necessary funds in the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111 fixed asset account to facilitate the purchase of the replacement bomb truck.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit utilizes specialized equipment and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) certified technicians to provide explosive and bomb disposal services to any law enforcement agency within Fresno County, and to any requesting law enforcement agency outside Fresno County upon authorization from the Sheriff or by Mutual Aid agreement. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office EOD Unit provides assistance to investigators through the processing of scenes where bombings have occurred; collects, identifies, and maintains evidence from post-blast situations; responds to bomb threats when appropriate, or when a device has been located; and collects evidence related to devices located and rendered safe. The Sheriff’s Office EOD Unit assists the Fresno County Hazardous Materials or the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, with the disposal or detonation of non-toxic explosive chemicals or agents. The EOD Unit also provides disposal and destruction services for non-serviceable ammunition or illegal fireworks for law enforcement agencies within Fresno County.
The Sheriff’s Office EOD Unit currently utilizes a modified 1999 Freightliner FL60 during the above operations. Over the past two decades this 1999 Freightliner has been modified from its original purpose as an empty box style cargo vehicle to suit the needs of the Unit. However, as it stands now, the Freightliner lacks storage space for the specialized tools and equipment of the EOD Unit. Additionally, the cost of retrofitting the 1999 Freightliner to meet diesel trucks and buses regulations to reduce emissions is not cost effective.
The replacement of this 1999 Freightliner FL60 with a new, modern vehicle designed around the specific function of the Sheriff’s Office EOD Unit will allow the EOD Unit to become more efficient and effective in providing services.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 3111)
On file with Clerk - Budget Transfer No. 11
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa