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
Reimbursement Agreement with the United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service for Participation in the Joint Law Enforcement Operations - Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Reimbursement Agreement (Federal No. JLEO-25-0044) with the United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service, for overtime costs related to participation in the Joint Law Enforcement Operations - Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, in the amount of $550,000, for the period of October 24, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to sign and submit the Reimbursement Agreement, as required by the United States Department of Justice.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit the Reimbursement Agreement to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
4. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post adjustments to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s 2024-25 budget as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service (USMS) will provide reimbursement of overtime costs for Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) safety staff assigned to the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSW RFTF) in an amount not to exceed $550,000, pursuant to the Joint Law Enforcement Operations Memorandum of Understanding. Appropriation and revenue for this award are not included in the Department’s 2024-25 Adopted Budget, therefore the Department requests the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the following adjustments:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4438001000 |
40509094 |
Federal - Grants |
Increase |
$550,000 |
|
4438001000 |
51001035 |
Overtime |
Increase |
$550,000 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000 authorized the USMS to establish Regional Fugitive Task Forces (RFTF) based in New York and Los Angeles. The purpose of these RFTFs is to combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and assist in high profile investigations. The PSW RFTF, previously called the Los Angeles RFTF, became operational in July of 2002 and, since its inception, has grown exponentially in terms of personnel, equipment, and scope of investigation. Through their demonstrated willingness and ability to cooperate with other agencies, the PSW RFTF has continued to develop memoranda of understanding with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. These relationships have experienced tremendous success in conducting high-profile investigations throughout the Pacific Southwest and Hawaii.
On December 3, 2002 (Item No. 65), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the Department’s participation in the Los Angeles RFTF. Participation results in better coordination with other agencies involved in locating dangerous fugitives. In addition, it provides the Department with access to nationwide criminal databases, which significantly enhances the Department’s ability to locate San Bernardino County fugitives. The USMS has a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other law enforcement agencies in support of fugitive investigations. The success of USMS task force initiatives, combined with the outstanding relationships forged with other law enforcement agencies, has led to the formation of permanent fugitive task forces, as well as ad-hoc task forces in response to unique cases that pose immediate threats to the public.
On December 2, 2024, the Department received notification from the USMS of funding in the amount of $550,000 to reimburse the Department for overtime expenditures incurred by its staff while working as part of the PSW RFTF. The Department is submitting the agreement for acceptance at the first available Board date upon completion of the review process. Overtime expenditures have commenced as of the start date of the project, and the Department can submit claims for reimbursement retroactively to October 24, 2024, upon execution of the agreement. The Department has expended approximately $35,000 this fiscal year for this program.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to sign the Reimbursement Agreement award documents in compliance with USMS 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 7, 2025; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor Manager, 382-7022) on January 8, 2025; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on January 11, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 12, 2025.