Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board approve and authorize the Sheriff to sign the Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program grant funding amendment to Letter of Agreement 2020-12, with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration increasing the total amount of funding by $80,000 for a total of $146,500 for the period October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 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. This funding cannot be used for the enforcement, monitoring or administration of any legal cannabis program in El Dorado County.
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 the grant from Federal FY2019, funds are not advanced and monthly invoices for expenses are submitted for reimbursement to capture actual costs. The Sheriff's Office received the original agreement on December 19, 2019 from the DEA.
Following numerous meetings with the DOJ it was determined that the Sheriff's Office could utilize additional funding for illegal eradication. On July 9, 2020 an amendment letter was sent to the Sheriff's Office allowing for an increase of $80,000 in funding from the DOJ. In total, the Sheriff's Office is receiving $146,500 in funding to be spent by September 30, 2020.
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 January 28, 2020 Legistar Item # 20-0065, in the amount of $66,500 for the period October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, Letter of Agreement 2020-12.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Letter of Agreement and the Amendment Letter.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Net County Cost for the Sheriff's Office will be reduced by $80,000. The revenue offsets the Sheriff’s Office’s costs for the marijuana eradication program. No budget amendment is necessary to recognize additional revenues, as appropriations do not need to be increased
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
The Sheriff’s Office coordination with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration allows for resources to be leveraged to enhance public safety.
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz