REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 27, 2020
FROM
JASON ANDERSON, District Attorney
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award Agreement for the San Bernardino County Organized Automobile Fraud Activity Interdiction Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Grant Award Agreement with the California Insurance Commissioner to accept $382,064 for the investigation and prosecution of organized automobile fraud cases in San Bernardino County for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
2. Adopt Resolution, as required by the California Department of Insurance, approving the Grant Award Agreement and authorizing the District Attorney to execute all documents and non- substantive amendments in relation to the acceptance of this Grant Award Agreement, upon review of County Counsel.
3. Direct the District Attorney to transmit all Grant Award Agreement documents, including any non-substantive amendments, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Michael Fermin, Assistant District Attorney, 382-3662)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the need for additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant will provide $382,064 from the State of California for the County’s Organized Automobile Fraud Activity Interdiction Program. The grant revenue is included in the District Attorney’s 2020-21 budget and will be used to fund (1) Deputy District Attorney and (1) District Attorney Senior Investigator assigned to the Program. No matching funds are required. Funds assessed annually against insurers, in the amount of $0.50 cents for each insured vehicle, provide the funding source for this grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Under the direction of the California Insurance Commissioner and pursuant to California Insurance Code Section 1874.8, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) administers the Organized Automobile Fraud Activity Interdiction Program (Program). In accordance with the Program, the CDI distributes grant funds to district attorneys statewide for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting organized automobile fraud. The acceptance of this grant aligns with the goal of providing for the safety of County residents by assisting the Department in funding the investigation and prosecution of these crimes. The Department has been receiving grant funds for this purpose for the past 17 years.
On May 22, 2018 (Item No. 59), the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized the District Attorney to submit a grant application to the California Insurance Commissioner requesting funding for this Program for a three-year period effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021. On September 22, 2020, the Department received notification from the California Insurance Commissioner of the County’s grant award in the amount of $382,064 for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. This item is being presented at this time, as this is the first available date following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval of the grant award by the Board at this time will have no impact on the Department’s grant related services and activities.
The State of California, Department of Insurance requires a resolution from the Board approving the Grant Award Agreement and authorizing the District Attorney to sign the agreement. The Department of Insurance has requested that the signed Grant Award Agreement by submitted by Friday, October 30, 2020.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Katherine Hardy, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5437) on October 6, 2020; Finance (Monique Amis, Administrative Analyst, 387-4883) on October 7, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Kelly Welty, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on October 8, 2020.