Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a renewal agreement with North State Security, Inc., with a maximum compensation of $198,000 ($66,000 annually) to provide inmate security services off-site of the Shasta County Jail from the date of signing through June 30, 2019.

The jail is experiencing an increase of inmates that require more advance care than in previous years. This is coupled with the constant possibility of an emergency medical event, which requires staff to guard the inmate at the hospital or other medical facility. Contracting for professional guard services is appropriate for many of these instances.

To reduce impacts to jail staff and overtime expenses, the use of contracted security services can be beneficial at times while an inmate is outside the jail; a qualified professional must be present to guard the inmate and protect the public.  Depending upon the severity of an inmate’s condition, the hospital stay may range from several hours to several weeks.

In Fiscal Year 2015-16 the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office was in the first of two one-year optional renewals with North State Security, Inc. During Fiscal Year 2015-16, North State Security requested higher compensation for their services, to which Shasta County Sheriff’s Office was not willing to agree to. In June 2016, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office opted out of the last of two optional years of the contract. In June 2016, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office submitted a request for information through Shasta County Purchasing to which North State Security, Inc. was awarded the security service contract. 

North State Security, Inc. was the only local vendor who returned interest in the request for information. The Sheriff’s Office has previously used North State Security, Inc. for many years to provide these same security services. This proposed agreement will continue that contractual relationship.

The Board may choose to not approve the recommendation, request additional information from staff, or defer this matter to another date.

The County Administrative Office has reviewed this recommendation.  County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.  Risk Management has reviewed and approved this agreement.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17 Sheriff’s Jail budget includes appropriations for these services, which is anticipated to cover routine security expenses for the fiscal year. While there is a possibility that unanticipated long term out-of-custody stays may require additional appropriation authority, the Sheriff has control over whether to utilize these services or utilize Sheriff Correctional Deputy staff. Historical expenses for the last three fiscal years for these services have been: $25,825 in FY 2013-14; $23,216 in FY 2014-15; and $5,328 in FY 2015-16, however at a lower contracted rate. The Sheriff's Office anticipates, based on prior utilization and the new rates, that existing appropriations should be sufficient for this fiscal year. There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of this recommendation.