Title
District Attorney's Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve the use of Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds in the estimated amount of $250,000 to offset Science-Based Interviewing professional service contract costs, hosted training costs, and both employee and non-employee training/travel costs;
2) Approve the use of Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds in the estimated amount of $35,820 to offset the Fausel House (772 Pacific Street) facility lease cost;
3) Approve the use of Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds in the estimated amount of $64,968 to offset costs associated with Agreement 8874 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships for Sexual Assault Counseling services for period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026; and
4) Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget transfer increasing revenue and appropriations within the District Attorney’s General Fund by $250,000. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Equitable Sharing Funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The District Attorney’s Office (DA), through an agreement with the Federal Department of Justice (DOJ), receives monies for assets seized by partner agencies, also referred to as Equitable Sharing Funds (EQSHR). The funds are deposited into a sub fund until such time the District Attorney requests the use of the funds per the guidelines established in the Equitable Sharing agreement with DOJ. One of the requirements outlined is obtaining Board approval for the use of EQSHR funds. According to the guidelines, EQSHR funds may be used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes only, which includes a wide range of operational expenses. The District Attorney is requesting, from the EQSHR fund, the use of $250,000 to offset Science-Based Interviewing related professional services, hosted training, and employee and non-employee training/travel costs. The office is also requesting the use of $35,820 to support the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 facility lease cost for the Fausel House, located at 772 Pacific Street Placerville, CA 95667, as outlined per lease agreement 3486 and $64,968 to offset service costs associated with Agreement 8874 with the Center for Violence-Free Relationships for Sexual Assault Counseling services.
1. Science-Based Interviewing Training (Professional Services, Hosting Fees, & Travel Expenses) - $250,000
The District Attorney’s Office hosts several Science-Based Interview Training courses throughout the fiscal year. This interview training delivers a flexible approach, optimizing interactions during victim and witness interviews, suspect interrogations, informant debriefings, and community engagements. Through a subject-oriented approach, science-based interviewing has been shown to create a space for engagement that both increases the likelihood that the interviewee will choose to participate in a meaningful manner and substantially increases relevant information yield. For current FY 2025-26, the estimated costs incurred for: the conference venue rental(s) is $21,000; for training supplies, printing services, and postage is $4,000; for travel for both non-county and County staff to either attend the courses or provide course instruction/coaching is $57,000; and for professional services provided by additional contracted instructors/coaches is $168,000. The grand total for SBI-related training costs is approximately $250,000. The California Peace Officers Standards Training fund reimburses a portion of these expenses based on a pre-determined budget. The amount to be reimbursed is yet to be determined upon the final submission of invoices. During the Fiscal Year-End operating expense transfer process, the DA will only draw down the balance of SBI expenses that were not reimbursed by POST from the EQSHR fund.
2. Fausel House Lease - $35,820
On December 5, 2023, with Legistar file 23-1425, the Board approved the Purchasing Agent to execute Agreement 3486, Amendment I, extending the term of facility lease for 772 Pacific Street 5 years and increasing the amount of the lease agreement by $180,990 for a total revised amount of $344,880. The lease includes language that directs the use of EQSHR funds as the primary source of funding. The department is seeking official record of Board approval for the use of EQSHR funds in the amount of $35,820 to offset the Fausel House facility lease agreement costs for period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
3. The Center for Violence-Free Relationships - $64,968
Agreement 8874 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships is to be funded by EQSHR funds for FY 2025-26, as per the FY 2025-26 recommended budget. This agreement provides the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit on-going Sexual Assault Counseling services in direct support of victims/witnesses. The DA is seeking official record of Board approval for the use of EQSHR funds to offset costs incurred in the amount of $64,968.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board opt not to approve the use of discretionary EQSHR funds as described, the department would need to resort to utilizing General Fund dollars to support these operational expenses, which will result in an increase in Net County Cost, with a potential for continency funds.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
07/22/2025 Legistar file 25-1240 - Board approved the District Attorney to use EQSHR funds to offset FY 2024-25 SBI-related costs, Fausel House 772 Pacific St. Rental costs, and The Center for Violence-Free Relationship Agreement 8874 costs.
12/05/2023 Legistar file 23-1425 - Board approved the Purchasing Agent to execute Agreement 3486, Amendment I.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Auditor-Controller
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost as the use of Equitable Sharing Funds is being requested. The enclosed budget transfer increases revenue and appropriations in the District Attorney’s FY 2025-26 budget by $250,000 to support the SBI-related expenses outlined above. Budget associated with the Fausel House Rent and The Center Sexual Assault Counselor services has previously been approved during the FY 2025-26 recommended budget process. This item is to record official Board approval of all requested items.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to forward executed budget transfer to the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney