REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  March  14, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Law and Justice-5.

SUBJECT:

Retroactive Letter of Agreement with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration for Supplemental Funding for Marijuana Eradication.  

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Pat Kropholler, Lieutenant (530) 245-6168

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Tom Bosenko, Sheriff-Coroner

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions: (1)  Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a retroactive renewal 2017 Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department of Justice (DEA) to provide funding to Shasta County in the amount of $90,000 for the Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Investigation Team (MIT) for the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017; and (2) authorize the Sheriff to sign, including retroactive, any certifications, assurances, pertinent related documents, and any subsequent amendments to the 2017 LOA including amendments to the agreement that result in a net change to the maximum compensation of no more than $9,000, that do not result in a substantial or functional change to the original intent of this agreement, and that otherwise comply with Administrative Policy 6-101, Shasta County Contracts Manual.  

SUMMARY

Illegal marijuana cultivation and its associated crimes continue to be problematic in many areas of Shasta County. Recognizing this over the past several years the Drug Enforcement Administration/Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program has provided funds to the Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Investigation Team (MIT), supplementing existing funding for suppression and investigation of illegal marijuana cultivation in Shasta County.

DISCUSSION

The federal funds provided through this LOA are limited to overtime and extra help labor expense, rental of equipment such as aircraft and fuel, certain authorized vehicle expenses, travel and training expenses, equipment purchases, services and supplies, and other costs directly related to marijuana eradication activities as outlined in Section 4 of the LOA.

The Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department of Justice (DEA) has been a reliable and valuable partner in combating illegal marijuana cultivation on federal lands.  This year’s DEA funding is $90,000 for the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may request additional information from staff or choose to not accept this funding. Declining this supplemental funding will result in a reduction or elimination of MIT as currently operated.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

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. 

FINANCING

This DEA LOA is for Federal fiscal year October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 and spans portions of two County fiscal years. Revenues and the associated appropriations are already budgeted in the Sheriff’s Fiscal Year 2016/17 budget and staff will monitor those balances and return to the Board if additional funds are anticipated to be spent this fiscal year. The balance of unspent funds this fiscal year will be requested as part of the Fiscal Year 2017/18 budget.   Funds of $90,000 will be advanced in full upon the DEA’s receipt and approval of the LOA. There is no additional General Fund impact with this recommendation.