REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 28, 2025
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application for the 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the submission of a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for funding to provide training to the Crime Laboratory personnel is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines pursuant to California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15321(b) and 15061(b)(3).
2. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for funding in the amount of $79,159 under the 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program to provide training to the Crime Laboratory personnel from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.
3. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer, the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, or the assigned Financial Officer acting as the Authorized Agent to file and electronically submit the 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program application, and any subsequent non-substantive amendments, on behalf of San Bernardino County, as required by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit the application and non-substantive amendments related to the 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
5. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to file the Notice of Exemption.
(Presenter: Kelly Welty, Chief Deputy Director, 387-3760)
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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant from the 2024 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Grant), in the amount of $79,159, will provide funding for tuition, transportation, meals, and lodging for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) Crime Laboratory personnel to attend specified training opportunities. If the application is successful, the Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for acceptance of the Grant award and may request budget adjustments, if necessary, as part of a future budget report presented to the Board for approval. No matching funds are required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has been allocated approximately $2,124,825 in federal Grant funds to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science and medical examiner services. Funds are allocated to the State’s 30 accredited forensic laboratories, based on established criteria. The Department has applied annually and received funding from the Grant since 2002.
The Department is requesting funding to supplement the Crime Laboratory’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 application period was announced on December 17, 2024, and applications must be submitted electronically by February 3, 2025. The Grant application requires an online submission, by the Authorized Agent, which includes acceptance of certifications binding upon the County and an up-front agreement to be bound by the conditions accompanying the federal grant funds. The Certification of Assurance of Compliance, included in the application, further requires a County official to confirm the individuals listed on the application are the Authorized Agent(s). Consequently, County Policy 05-13 requires Board approval to submit this Grant application or any related amendments. The application is being submitted for Board approval at the first available date upon completion of the Grant application and legal review. If awarded, the Department will return to the Board for approval to accept the Grant funds in accordance with this same policy.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 13, 2025; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on January 14, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 14, 2025.