REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  November  7, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Law and Justice-12.

SUBJECT:

Resolution Authorizing the District Attorney to Act as Grant Agent and Budget Amendment increasing appropriations by $67,699 and increasing revenues by $87,858 for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Stephanie Bridgett, District Attorney (530) 245-6300

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Stephanie Bridgett, District Attorney

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions: (1) For the District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Center (Program), adopt a resolution which approves and authorizes the Shasta County District Attorney to: (a) continue to serve as the agent for County of Shasta for the Program; (b) sign award agreements with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES); and (c) execute and submit future Program-related documents (including retroactive) including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the Program for the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020; and (2) approve a budget amendment increasing appropriations by $67,699 and increasing revenue by $87,858 in the Victim Witness Assistance budget to recognize Cal OES revenue for the Program, recognize 2011 Realignment AB 109 revenue, and adjust appropriations to more closely align with actual expenses.

SUMMARY

N/A

DISCUSSION

The proposed Board action would allow the District Attorney to continue acting as the agent for Shasta County for the District Attorney’s Crime Victims Assistance Center (Program) which provides beneficial programs to victims and witnesses of all types of crime.

Cal OES makes funds available to District Attorney’s offices throughout the state for the purpose of providing mandatory and optional services as required by California Government Code sections 13835 through 13835.10. The action proposed will be in effect through June 30, 2020. 

Cal OES operates on a Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) (October 1 through Sept 30) and the department anticipates receiving the current agreement before December 31, 2017.  The department has been notified that Shasta County’s allocation for FFY 2018 is $293,093. The grant currently funds 1 FTE Senior Victim Advocate, 0.80 FTE Program Manager, and 0.50 FTE Victim Advocate. The new allocation will continue funding those positions and will also allow the department to utilize some extra help clerical support.

The budget amendment includes increases in State revenues to recognize the Cal OES grant revenue in the amount of $71,685 that was not included in the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget submission due to budget process timing. As a cleanup item, the budget amendment also recognizes additional 2011 Realignment AB 109 revenue in the amount of $16,173 which will be received during Fiscal Year 2017-18 as approved by the Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee (funds will be used to cover operating costs associated with a misdemeanor diversion program).  Appropriations are also being increased by $67,699 to more closely align with actual expenses.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the resolution and/or budget amendment; could defer acting on the resolution and/or budget amendment until a later date; or could seek additional information from the District Attorney’s Office.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation.   The budget amendment was forwarded to the Auditor's Office.

FINANCING

There is a match for this Cal OES grant of $61,161 for Fiscal Year 2017-18, of which 80% will be covered by a State Penalty fund and the remaining 20% will be waived by Cal OES.  The grant funding does not cover Total Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) costs for the Program positions which is $4,298 for Fiscal Year 2017-18. The OPEB costs are covered by the General Fund. The proposed action will result in a net positive impact to the General Fund.  The budget amendment increases appropriations by $67,699 and revenues by $87,858 and the Net County Cost for the Victim Witness budget will be reduced from $212,845 to $192,686.