Title
District Attorney recommending the Board:
1) Approve the use of Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds in the estimated amount of $120,210 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 $35,160 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 $48,726 to offset costs associated with Agreement 7881 with the Center for Violence-Free Relationships for Sexual Assault Counseling Services for period October 1, 2024-June 30, 2025;
4) Approve the use of Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds in the amount of $106 to offset the supply cost for partnership in the 2024 Annual Snowball Event hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern California; and
5) Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget transfer increasing revenue and appropriations within the District Attorney’s General Fund by $115,000. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Equitable Sharing Funds.
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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 shall 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 $115,000 to offset remaining Science-Based Interviewing related professional services, hosted training, and employee and non-employee training/travel costs. The office is also requesting the use of $35,160 to support the FY 2024-25 facility lease cost for the Fausel House, located at 772 Pacific Street Placerville, CA 95667, as outlined per lease agreement 3486 and $48,726 to offset service costs associated with Agreement 7881 with the Center for Violence-Free Relationships for Sexual Assault Counseling services.
1. Science-Based Interviewing Training (Professional Services, Hosting Fees, & Travel Expenses) - $115,000
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 FY 2024-25, the estimated costs incurred for the conference venue rental(s) is $17,000; for training equipment and supplies is $6,140; for travel for both non-county and County staff to attend the courses is $73,466; and for professional services provided by Tailored Training Professionals, SOS Consulting, and Nuno Tavares is $178,818. The grand total for SBI-related training costs is $315,594. The California Peace Officers Standards Training fund reimbursed approximately $195,384 of the training costs. Therefore, the department is seeking EQSHR funds in the estimated amount of $120,210.
2. Fausel House Lease - $35,160
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 Board approval for the use of EQSHR funds in the estimated amount of $35,160 to offset the Fausel House facility lease agreement costs for period July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025.
3. The Center for Violence-Free Relationships - $48,726
Agreement 7881 with the Center for Violence-Free Relationships is to be partially funded by EQSHR funds for FY 2024-25. This agreement provides the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit on-going Sexual Assault Counseling services in direct support of victims/witnesses. Since the department no longer receives funding from CalOES for these services, they are requesting to use EQSHR funds to offset costs incurred in the estimated amount of $48,726.
4. 2024 Annual Snowball Event Supply - $106
The District Attorney’s Office partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern California annually in coordinating the Snowball Event, which is an outreach event that promotes the relationship between at-risk youth and local law enforcement. As part of their hosting efforts, the DA’s office purchased themed attire for the sole purpose of flourishing the engagement with the youth. The cost of $106 is being requested to be offset by EQSHR funds.
The budget transfer is needed to allow for the full draw down of funds from the EQSHR special revenue to cover the above-mentioned costs.
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 savings to support these operational expenses, which would result in decreased overall General Fund savings for the County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
12/05/2023 Legistar file 23-1425 - Board approved the Purchasing Agent to execute facility lease Agreement 3486 Amendment I, extending the terms of the lease an additional 5 years.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Auditor’s Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost as the use of Equitable Sharing Funds are being requested. The enclosed budget transfer increases revenue and appropriations in the District Attorney’s FY 2024-25 budget by $115,000 to support the expenses outlined above. Of the total costs noted, $88,100 has already been previously approved during FY 2024-25 adopted budget. 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