REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 20, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award for the 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept grant award from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $70,860, for the 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (State Award No. CQ26027701), to provide training for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s Crime Lab personnel, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post adjustments to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s 2026-27 budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This grant award from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in the amount of $70,860 will provide funding to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) for tuition, transportation, meals, and lodging for its Crime Lab personnel to attend specified training. No matching funds are required.
The Department requests the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector post the following adjustments to the 2026-27 budget, as detailed below:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4438001000 |
52942941 |
Conference/Training/Seminar Fees |
Increase |
$70,860 |
|
4438001000 |
40509094 |
Federal-Grants |
Increase |
$70,860 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Cal OES received federal funds for the 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Grant) to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science and medical examiner services. Funds are allocated to the State’s accredited forensic laboratories based upon established criteria.
On June 23, 2026 (Item No. 151), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the submission of the grant application to Cal OES. Cal OES required the County to designate an “Authorized Agent” to execute the grant application documents. The Board authorized the Chief Executive Officer, the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, or the Sheriff’s Administrative Manager to electronically sign and submit the application.
The grant award notification was released on September 3, 2026, and posted by Cal OES to their online Grants Central System. The Department is presenting the grant to the Board for approval at the first available meeting date after completion of the review process.
The grant term is July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The Department’s allocation of $70,860 will be used to supplement the Crime Lab’s operational training budget. This grant will fund training in eight disciplines: 1) forensic biology; 2) firearms; 3) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network; 4) trace evidence; 5) blood alcohol; 6) controlled substances; 7) crime scene investigations; and 8) Ten Prints/Latent Comparisons. The additional training will increase the knowledge of the laboratory’s staff with the goal of increased efficiency and faster turn-around time in analyzing evidence. The Department can submit claims for reimbursement retroactively from July 1, 2026.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 24, 2026; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on September 24, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on October 1, 2026.