REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 21, 2025
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Fiscal Year 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve a grant application to the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Fiscal Year 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, in the amount of $120,000, for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028.
2. Authorize the Sheriff’s Administrative Manager to electronically execute and submit the grant application referenced in Recommendation No. 1 and related certifications, including any subsequent non-substantive amendments, and to accept related assurances and certifications, on behalf of the County, as required by the United States Department of Justice, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit the grant application and any subsequent non-substantive amendments, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(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.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). If awarded, this grant would provide funding in the amount of $120,000 to improve timeliness of forensic services by funding the cost of training for laboratory personnel. If awarded, the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for acceptance of the grant award and may request a budget adjustment, if necessary. No matching funds are required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department is seeking grant funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance that are available to states and local governments with existing forensic science laboratories. The funds are to be used to achieve objectives in forensic science services, including the improvement of quality and timeliness of forensic science services, eliminating backlogs in the analysis of evidence, training laboratory personnel for purposes of eliminating backlogs, and addressing emerging forensic science issues.
The Department’s application under the Fiscal Year 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Program) requests funding for personnel to attend a firearm and toolmark training academy. The Department currently employs one fully trained examiner for comparative analysis of firearm and toolmark evidence. This funding would allow the Department to increase its number of fully trained examiners, reducing the wait time for analysis of evidence.
The application for the Program requires the approval of certifications that are binding upon the County, as well as an up-front agreement to be bound by the conditions that will accompany the federal grant funds. No approval signatures are required until the grant is awarded. County Policy 05-13 requires Board approval to submit any grant application or related amendments that are legally binding.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 29, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on October 6, 2025.