Title
Probation Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Make findings in accordance with County ordinance 3.13.030 that it is more economical and feasible to contract out for transdermal electronic alcohol monitoring equipment and services than to obtain the facilities, personnel, and equipment necessary to provide such services; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment II of Agreement 834 (438-S1510) with SCRAM of California, Inc. to retroactively increase the agreement amount by $80,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $200,000 for the three-year period of June 19, 2015 through June 14, 2018. (Est. Time: 10 Min.)
FUNDING: AB 109 and General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Probation Department recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign Amendment II of Agreement 834 (438-S1510) with SCRAM of California, Inc. to increase the agreement amount by $80,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $200,000.
With the implementation of the County of El Dorado, Superior Court of California’s Pretrial Supervision Program, specified offenders are ordered to participate in an electronic monitoring program supervised by the Probation Department. The original agreement amount did not anticipate this additional usage, thus the need for the increase in the overall not to exceed amount. SCRAM of California, Inc. is one of multiple contracts the Probation Department has in place to provide a variety of EMP services on an as-needed basis to manage the specified offenders.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Probation Department has been continuously operating the Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) since 2006 to provide home detention services as a custody alternative for appropriate offenders. The department has the necessary expertise in this area and has necessary contracts in place with multiple vendors to provide the electronic and GPS monitoring equipment.
On April 4, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 109, referred to as 2011 Public Safety Realignment. AB 109 was later modified by AB 117. Both bills taken together create extensive changes to existing law which reduces the number of offenders eligible for incarceration in state prison and "realigns" these offenders to local entities who are now responsible to manage the specified offenders.
As a result of a change in the Court’s recent practices of releasing defendants from custody, there has been a significant increase in the orders from the court to use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) tracking devices. Additionally, on April 30, 2018, funding through the Pre-Trial Supervision Program (PTSP) Grant will end and is not renewable. As a result, the cost of defendants being placed on any electronic monitoring device through the PTSP will no longer be reimbursed. However, the Court has directed the continuance of the PTSP beyond the grant end date, which causes all responsibilities and contract costs to be absorbed by the Probation Department’s budget.
The Probation Department is working with SCRAM of California, Inc., to utilize a “Full Service Program,” which will dedicate a part time SCRAM employee to complete the installations and removals of the electronic monitoring devices, a responsibility currently being completed by a full time Deputy Probation Officer. This type of work is labor intensive, but does not require a Peace Officer’s attention. Although there is an added cost for this service, it allows the department to utilize the Deputy Probation Officer to address more pressing needs that affect community safety.
The increase in compensation is retroactive because services have been provided in excess of the current contract maximum amount from January 2018 and will continue through June 2018. Due to staffing issues, the amendment was not processed prior to the services being provided. There is no retroactive increase in the rate of compensation.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A. If the Board does not approve the amendment, the department will not be able to pay invoices for services already rendered.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact to the FY 2017-2018 approved budget will be absorbed in savings within the class. These services are purchased on an as-needed basis.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1.) Obtain signature of Chair on two (2) originals of Amendment II of Agreement 834 (438-S1510).
2.) Forward one (1) fully executed document to the Chief Administrative Office Procurement and Contracts Division for finalization in FENIX.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
CONTACT
Nikki Moeszinger, Administrative Services Officer, 530-621-6066