Title
Chief Administrative Office and the Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 192-2022 to add four full time equivalent Sheriff’s Security Officer allocations in the Sheriff’s Office to help increase the security of the public and County Employees around the Placerville Government Center; and
2) Direct staff to add the appropriations necessary for the four allocations and projected additional overtime costs to fund the Placerville Government Center Security Plan in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget Report Budget Transfer.
FUNDING: General Fund and Homelessness Grant Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
With the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Recommended Budget, the Board approved $250,000 in General Fund appropriations for potential security enhancements for government facilities to address ongoing concerns about security at County facilities. After the Recommended Budget was approved County staff have been meeting to determine recommended solutions for these security concerns. Staff are currently seeking estimates for increased cameras, signage, and lighting around the Government Center.
On September 20, 2022, with Legistar item 22-1693, the Board directed “staff to return to the Board prior to the opening of the temporary Navigation Center with options to address security concerns.” Since this direction, staff from the Chief Administrative Office and the Sheriff’s Office have been meeting to determine the recommended option to address security concerns around the Placerville Government Center.
It is recommended that the Board approve the addition of four Sheriff’s Security Officer allocations to patrol the Placerville Government Center. Four allocations will allow for two Sheriff Security Officers patrolling the Government Center primarily during the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Sheriff’s Security Officer classification can enforce security and safeguards and protects County property, buildings, and equipment. The classification may not issue citations or receive prisoners and does not have arrest powers or perform active law enforcement duties. It is projected that the Sheriff Security Officers will incur overtime related to responding to incidents, training, or early call ins. It is estimated that 200 hours of overtime may be incurred as part of this initial request, and staff will make a more accurate projection of overtime rates after the Security Plan is implemented.
This is an initial plan to address security concerns before the Temporary Navigation Center opens in the old Juvenile Hall facility. Staff from the Chief Administrative Office and Sheriff’s Office will continue to meet after the Navigation Center opens to review reported incidents, reassess the plan, and return to the Board if a revised plan is recommended.
Staff are requesting the Board direct staff to add the appropriations necessary for the allocations and projected additional overtime costs to fund the Placerville Government Center Security Plan in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget Report Budget Transfer. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget Report will be brought to the Board in February at which time a more accurate projection of costs can be determined because of the Navigation Center opening in January.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the recommendation, direct staff to conduct additional analysis, or approve an alternative plan.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 22-1693 - September 20, 2022 - Direct staff to return with security plan for the Government Center.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommendation is estimated to increase costs by $260,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year and $520,000 annually for the new allocations. The one-time costs associated with equipment for the new allocations is approximately $68,000. It is anticipated that overtime costs could increase by $9,500, but a more accurate number cannot be determined until the security plan is operational. The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) will explore the ability to use available funding to fund a portion of these services. Once the share of cost and process for reimbursement is identified, staff will draft a budget transfer to allow HHSA to reimburse the Sheriff’s Office for a portion of the cost of these services. The $250,000 the Board allocated to Government Center security will be used for increased cameras, signage, lighting, and other security measures around various county facilities. The cost of the new Sheriff’s Security Officers, that is not offset by HHSA funding, will be a use of General Fund Contingency. Staff will present a Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Report to the Board in February with a budget transfer to increase appropriations in the Sheriff’s Office for these services.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair’s signature on the Resolution and forward a copy to Human Resources for inclusion in the posted Personnel Allocation.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
1) Healthy Communities: Implement solutions to address and reduce homelessness in El Dorado County.
2) Public Safety: Support for the mentally ill, homeless and those with substance abuse disorders or housing needs where public safety issues are present.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, CAO