REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 28, 2020
FROM
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for the Fiscal Year 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the amount of $401,618 for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022 for the Fiscal Year 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to submit the electronic grant application, and accept related assurances and certifications, on behalf of the County, as requested by the U.S. Department of Justice, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit all documents in relation to this application to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: John Ades, Captain, 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.
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 $401,618 to assist with backlogged DNA analysis. If the application is successful, 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 as part of a future quarterly budget report, if necessary. No matching funds are required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department is seeking grant funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) that are available to states and local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis. The funds are to be used for analyzing backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, as well as improving DNA laboratory infrastructure and analysis capacity so that forensic DNA samples can be processed efficiently and cost effectively.
The Department has received funding under this program since fiscal year (FY) 2006-07, which has been used to replace outdated equipment, purchase supplies, and provide training and overtime for the crime laboratory’s personnel.
The Department’s application under the FY 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program (Program) requests funding for overtime, training/travel, equipment, contract services and supplies to improve the crime laboratory’s efficiency in processing cases. The overtime will provide additional staff time dedicated to DNA analysis. The travel/training funds will be used to attend DNA meetings/conferences and workshops. The equipment purchases include a Qiagen EZ1 Advanced XL system (purifies DNA sample during the extraction process). The contract services will provide for an external DNA Audit. The funding for supplies will be used to purchase kits and supplies necessary to process DNA samples during the grant period.
The application for the FY 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction 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 (Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 9, 2020; Finance (Carolina Mendoza, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on July 10, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Kelly Welty, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 10, 2020.