Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board approve and authorize the Sheriff to sign the Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program grant funding Letter of Agreement 2019-14, with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration in the amount of $40,000 for the period October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 to defray costs relating to the eradication and suppression of illicit marijuana.
FUNDING: United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
This is an annual agreement that the Sheriff’s Office has participated in since 1997. The funding is for activities related to the cooperation with the DOJ in locating and eradicating illicit cannabis plants, and investigating, arresting and referring cases to the prosecuting authorities.
As in the past years, the DOJ is requiring that none of this funding be used to offset costs associated with law enforcement oversight of legal marijuana activities. The Sheriff’s Office is complying with this requirement and has put procedures in place to separate the illicit marijuana suppression activities of staff from the legal marijuana monitoring activities.
In the past, grant funds have been advanced and monthly reports of expenditures were required to account for the funds. Starting with this grant, funds will not be advanced, and monthly invoices for expenses will be submitted for reimbursement. The Sheriff's Office received this agreement on February 21, 2019 from the DEA.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Annual Agreements have been in place since 1997. The last time a DCESP funding Agreement was approved by your Board was on February 13, 2018, Legistar Item # 18-0210, in the amount of $56,000 for the period October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, Letter of Agreement 2018-14.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Letter of Agreement and the Sheriff’s Office willingness to comply with the restriction of use of funds for suppression of illicit marijuana operations only.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to Net County Cost. The revenue offsets the Sheriff’s Office’s costs for the marijuana eradication program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety.
CONTACT
Undersheriff Randy Peshon