Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Sheriff to participate, apply for, and sign the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Contract with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways in the amount of $319,546 for the term July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, to provide revenue to support boating safety and enforcement activities on the County’s rivers and lakes;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 005-2024 adopting language pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code Section 663.7(3) relative to the use of 100% of the annual Boat Taxes in conjunction with the FY 2024-25 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Contract with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for the Sheriff’s Office annual Boating Safety and Enforcement Program;
3) Authorize the County Auditor to certify the amount of prior year vessel taxes received by the County; and
4) Authorize the Sheriff or Chief Fiscal Officer of the Sheriff’s Office to sign each reimbursement claim.
FUNDING: State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid (60%) and County Boat Taxes (40%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Each year the County receives funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways to patrol the County’s rivers and lakes. Funding received by the Sheriff’s Office pays for Extra-Help Deputy Sheriffs who patrol rivers and lakes in the unincorporated area of the County from May through September. Funding is also provided for permanent staff who provide river and lake patrol service on a year-round basis, as well as for the supplies, maintenance, and equipment needed to operate the boating program.
As a condition of participating in this program, the County must use the boat property taxes to partially fund this program. The Auditor’s Office provides the estimated funding, which will be included in the Sheriff’s FY 2024-25 budget in the estimated amount of $225,075.
Additionally, the California Division of Boating and Waterways requires that the County sign a Resolution accepting the financial aid contract and acknowledging compliance with Harbors and Navigation Code, Section 663.7(e), which states: "The department shall not allocate funds to any county or a public agency within a county unless the department receives a resolution adopted annually by the board of supervisors authorizing the county to participate in the program and certifying that the county will expend for boating safety programs during that year not less than an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount received by the county from personal property taxes on vessels. The money allocated to a county pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be used only for boating safety and enforcement programs, as specified in subdivision (a), that are conducted in that county.”
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve this item, however, the funds provided by the Division of Boating and Waterways allow the Sheriff's Office to patrol the County's lakes and rivers.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The Auditor’s Office provided the FY 2024-25 annual boat tax estimate. County Counsel will review and approve the annual contract.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No Change to Net County Cost. The revenue and offsetting expenditures will be identified in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2024-25 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Please return one certified minute order of the Board action, and the signed resolution for submittal with application.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Undersheriff Brian Golmitz