REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 19, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 2025 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program Grant Award from the United States Department of Justice
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept grant award from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Fiscal Year 2025 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program (Award No. 15PBJA-25-GG-01882-DNAX), in the amount of $610,994, for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator for personnel, training, travel, services and supplies, external audit fees, and replacement of aging computers for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, or Sheriff’s Administrative Manager, to electronically sign and submit the grant award documents and non-substantive subsequent amendments on behalf of the County, as required by the United States Department of Justice.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator or Sheriff’s Administrative Manager to transmit
the grant award and related amendments 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 2025-26 budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, 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 Fiscal Year 2025 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program (CEBR Program) grant award in the amount of $610,994 does not require matching funds and was not included in the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) 2025-26 budget.
The Department requests the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the following adjustments to the 2025-26 budget.
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4438001000 |
51001010 |
Regular Salary |
Increase |
$140,661 |
|
4438001000 |
51001035 |
Overtime |
Increase |
$11,192 |
|
4438001000 |
52942941 |
Conference/Training/Seminar Fee |
Increase |
$28,551 |
|
4438001000 |
52002135 |
Special Department Expense |
Increase |
$430,590 |
|
4438001000 |
40509094 |
Federal - Grants |
Increase |
$610,994 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On October 21, 2025 (Item No. 55), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the submission of a grant application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for funding under the CEBR Program in the amount of $610,994. The Department’s grant application was accepted and funding was awarded in the amount of $610,994 for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027.
The Department has received funding under the CEBR Program in the past, which has been used for salaries, to replace outdated equipment, purchase supplies, and provide training. The current grant award will continue to fund a DNA Criminalist position, created and originally funded utilizing the FY 2023 CEBR Program, as approved by the Board on August 5, 2025 (Item No. 85), overtime costs, training, travel, services and supplies, external audit fees, and replacement of aging computers.
The award notice was sent by BJA on April 17, 2026, and is being submitted to the Board for approval at the earliest available meeting after the required legal and financial reviews have been completed. Approval of the grant funds will enhance the Department’s ability to effectively analyze backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, as well as improve DNA laboratory infrastructure and analysis capacity to enable forensic DNA samples to be processed more efficiently and cost effectively. There have been no expenditures made against the grant award to date.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, or Sheriff’s Administrative Manager, to electronically submit the grant award documentation in compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s policy.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Gavin Hagey, Deputy County Counsel, 387-3403) on April 27, 2026; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Mima Ugbo, Supervising Accountant III, 382-3035) on April 28, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on April 30, 2026.