REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 14, 2023
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Employment Contract to Provide Services as a DNA Criminalist I
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Employment Contract with Rosemary Donis for the provision of services as a DNA Criminalist I, effective March 25, 2023 through March 24, 2024, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an estimated annual cost of $109,468 (Salary - $67,829, Benefits - $41,639).
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Assistant Sheriff to execute amendments to the contract to extend the term for a maximum of two successive one-year periods on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Undersheriff, or Assistant Sheriff to transmit all contract amendments to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Kelly Welty, Chief Deputy Director 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The estimated annual cost for this employment contract is $109,468 (Salary - $67,829, Benefits - $41,639). This position is assigned to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department), Scientific Investigations Division, Criminal Laboratory and will be funded by the 2021 Fiscal Year 21 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program grant in the amount of $692,471 (Award No. 15PBJA-21-GG-03087-DNAX), which was granted for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. Future grant awards will be used in the event the employment contract is subsequently extended. Appropriation for this employment contract is included in the Department’s 2022-23 Budget, and will be included in future recommended budgets, if necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On January 11, 2022 (Item No. 37), the Board of Supervisors approved the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $692,471 from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) with a performance period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. The Department has received funding under the CEBR Program in the past, which has been used to replace outdated equipment, purchase supplies, and training. The current grant award will fund a contract DNA Criminalist I position, overtime costs, training, travel, services and supplies, external audit fees, and replacement of aging computers and equipment.
Given the demanding caseload of the Criminal Laboratory, the Department recommends an employment contract with Rosemary Donis for the period of March 25, 2023 through March 24, 2024, with the option to extend the contract term for two additional one-year periods, subject to County Counsel review and submission of annual applications for continuation of grant funding. In the event grant funding is not received, the employment contract will be terminated following proper notice. Approval of the contract will help the Department reduce or avoid delays in the analysis of casework samples generated by Coroner cases.
Either party may terminate the contract at any time without case with 14-days’ advance written notice to the other party. The contract may be terminated for just cause immediately by the County.
PROCUREMENT
Recruitment for this position was conducted via the County’s Human Resources Department website. 15 candidates were interviewed by the Scientific Investigations Division staff, including the Criminal Laboratory’s Director. The interview panel recommends an employment contract with Ms. Donis based on her specific skills and experience that meet the requirements of the position.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 21, 2023; Human Resources (Gina King, Deputy Director, 387-5571) on February 17, 2023; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on February 27, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 27, 2023.