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HEARING - Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 224-2024 to:
1) Establish a consolidated fee schedule to become effective January 1, 2025; and
2) Supersede all previous Sheriff’s Office fee schedule Resolutions excluding Resolutions that address fees for Civil Process which shall remain unaffected.
FUNDING: Revenue Increase.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Government Code Section 54985 authorizes the Board of Supervisors to adopt new fees, fee levels and charges.
The proposed resolution includes references to the statutory fee authority from the Penal Code, Government Code, Evidence Code, Health and Safety Code, Business and Professions Code or County Ordinance, which in some cases caps the amount charged.
The methodology used to develop the proposed fees include the calculation of staff hourly rates taken from the County’s budgeted salaries and benefits, documented personnel time spent on specific activities, comparing fees offered from other Counties and Municipalities and reasonability. Additionally, legislative updates have caused some fees to no longer be applicable.
In carrying out the Fee Study, the Sheriff’s Office focused on three areas: 1) Records and CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) Fees 2) Weekender and Work Program Fees 3) Parking Penalties.
Records Fees
Fees collected in the Records and CCW divisions consist of report copies, rolling fees, clearance letters, local criminal history checks, repossession, subpoenas, itinerant license, massage license, fortune teller license, secondhand dealer/pawn broker license, explosives permits, and card room licenses and Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Permit fees. Not including CCW fees, the Sheriff’s Office estimates that an additional $2,000 in revenues will be observed from the proposed Records Fee updates based on FY 2023/24 activities. Many of the Records fees are determined by Statute. For the fees not determined by Statute we are recovering on average, 80% of staff costs for the tasks when staff perform them.
Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW’s)
Fees collected for CCW’s consist of new license (Regular, EDSO Correction Employees, Judge, Reserve, State Corrections, Retired Peace Officer, Federal Agent, Employment), renewals of existing licenses (Regular, EDSO Correction Employees, Judge, Reserve, State Corrections, Retired Peace Officer, Federal Agent, Employment), modifications of existing licenses (usually for adding weapons to a permit) and from issuing copies of duplicate licenses (when a permit is damaged or misplaced). The Sheriff’s Office is proposing an increase as allowed per updated statute for the Sheriff’s Office fees for new CCW licenses, renewals, and modifications. If the proposed fee increases are approved, the Sheriff’s Office is estimating an increase of $45,000 in revenues based on average CCW licenses issued from 2017 - 2023. The Sheriff's Office was previously limited to charging $100 for their portion of processing a CCW and $25 for processing a renewal. However, legislative changes allow for actual costs to be recouped. Based on a time study and comparison of various counties throughout California; the Sheriff's Office is recommended that new CCW fees increase to $125.00, renewals increase to $40.00, and modifications/duplicates increase to $25.00. These fees do not include the rates charged by DOJ with EDSO being a pass-through entity.
Work Program
Due to legislative updates, EDSO can no longer charge a fee for Work Program or the applications processed for this option. Therefore, EDSO is requesting approval for removal of the fee from the fee schedule.
Parking Penalties
The Sheriff's Office is proposing revisions to the existing Parking Penalty Schedule and is recommending adding two (2) new Parking Penalties to the schedule. The updates to the Parking Penalty Schedule are based on state fees and County Ordinance 10.12.170, that was not previously included on the schedule. Revenue from these updates will be minimal.
In conclusion, it has been years since the Sheriff's Office has revised the fees in the areas that we are focusing on updating. This Resolution captures all the fees charged in these areas and puts them in one place which will make it easier to make changes in the future. The changes proposed do not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the associated services. The estimated revenue increase after observing an entire Fiscal Year with the recommended fees in effect would be approximately $50,000.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could elect to not increase the fees and prevent offsetting expenses related to these services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
18-1239 8/28/2018
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Estimated increase in revenue of $50,000 per fiscal year.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Return 1 signed resolution to the Sheriff's Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Undersheriff Golmitz