TITLE
Supervisor Turnboo recommending the Board accept the donation of a K9 monument statue in accordance with California Government Code, Section 25355, valued at approximately $150,000, to be placed at the entrance to the Public Safety Facility, subject to the execution of a donation agreement between the County, the artist Austin Weishel and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse.
FUNDING: Donations.
BODY
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
California Government Code, Section 25355, states, “The Board may accept or reject any gift, bequest or devise made to or in favor of the county, or to or in favor of the Board in trust for any public purpose. The Board may delegate to any county officer or employee the power to accept any gift, bequest, or devise made to or in favor of the county. The officer or employee shall file with the Board each quarter a report that describes the source and value of each gift valued in excess of $10,000 or any other amount as determined by the Board. The Board may hold and dispose of the property and the income and increase thereof for those lawful uses and purposes as are prescribed in the terms of the gift, bequest or devise. In accounting for or inventorying gifts, bequests or devises, the officer or employee shall follow the appropriate procedures contained in the State Controller’s manual entitled, “Accounting Standards and Procedures for Counties.”
The Sheriff and Supervisor Turnboo had discussions regarding the creation of a monument at the Public Safety Facility for K9 Officers and their handlers. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse thereafter undertook to solicit donations to have an K9 monument and statue constructed and placed near the entrance of the Public Safety Facility at no cost to the County. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse has been very successful in their fundraising efforts and sufficient funds will be raised to complete the K9 monument. Subsequently discussions were held among the Sheriff, Chief Administrative Office, and County Counsel to determine the best course of action at this time.
Considering the artist is about to begin, or has begun, the construction of the statue, it is in the best interest of the Board to determine whether they are willing to accept this donation. If the Board is unwilling to accept this donation, the Board should direct the Sheriff to immediately advise the artist of their decision.
If the Board gives approval to accept the donation, the Sheriff’s Office and County Counsel will develop a donation agreement with the artist Austin Weishel and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse, which will be presented to the Board for approval at a future date. Such agreement is necessary to ensure the artist waives ‘moral rights’ to the statue and essentially gives ownership of the statue to the County.
ALTERNATIVES:
Not applicable. The Board is required to either accept or reject this donation.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION: N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVED:
Sheriff's Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS: N/A
Considering the donations were identified for this specific purpose, the CAO recommends the Board accept this donation in order to comply with the Government Code. The determination as to whether this particular monument and/or statue is appropriate is a policy decision of the Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The statue is funded 100% with donations. The only anticipated financial impact could potentially be minimal costs to clean and maintain the statue. Those costs are not available at this time and are not expected to be material.
CONTACT: Mark Treat (x5651)