REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Employment Contract to Provide Services as a Deoxyribonucleic Acid Criminalist I
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Employment Contract with Samantha Colquitt, for the provision of services as a Deoxyribonucleic Acid Criminalist I, effective September 5, 2026 through September 4, 2027, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an estimated annual cost of $101,386.20 (Salary - $81,307.20 and Benefits - $20,079).
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 the County receiving continued funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program, 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: 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 estimated annual cost for this employment contract is $101,386.20 (Salary - $81,307.20 and Benefits - $20,079). This position is assigned to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department), Scientific Investigations Division, Criminal Laboratory, and will be funded, in part, by the 2023 Fiscal Year Formula Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program grant (Award No. 15PBJA-23-GG-01220-DNAX24-137), which was granted for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026, and the DNA CEBR Program grant (Award No. 15PBJA-25-GG-01882-DNAX), granted for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. It is anticipated that future grant awards will be used to fund this Employment Contract. Sufficient appropriation for this Employment Contract is included in the Department’s 2026-27 Budget and will be included in future recommended budgets, if necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On February 6, 2024 (Item No. 52), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Agreement No. 24-137 for the acceptance of the 2023 Fiscal Year Formula DNA CEBR Program grant award in the amount of $764,592 from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, with a performance period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025. The Department has received funding under the CEBR Program in the past, which has been used to replace outdated equipment, purchase supplies, provide training, and fund a contract DNA Criminalist I position.
On October 21, 2025 (Item No. 54), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 24-137, extending the performance period by one year, for a total period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026, with no change to the award amount of $764,592. This grant award will continue to fund the recommended contract DNA Criminalist I position, overtime costs, training, travel, services and supplies, external audit fees, and replacement of aging computers and equipment through September 2026.
On October 21, 2025 (Item No. 55), the Board authorized the submission of a grant application for the 2025 Fiscal Year Formula DNA CEBR Program in the amount of $610,994 for the period from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027.
On April 7, 2026 (Item No. 37), the Board approved Employment Contract No. 26-270 with Carolina G. Acevedo for a DNA Criminalist I, effective April 18, 2026 through April 17, 2027, which was funded, in part, by the 2023 Fiscal Year DNA CEBR Program. The incumbent contract employee has since become a regular employee, leaving the contract position vacant.
On May 19, 2026 (Item No. 84), the Board approved Agreement No. 26-412 for the acceptance of the 2025 Fiscal Year Formula DNA CEBR Program grant award in the amount of $610,994 from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, with a performance period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. The current grant award will continue to fund the recommended contract DNA Criminalist I position, overtime costs, training, travel, services and supplies, external audit fees, and replacement of aging computers and equipment through September 2027.
Given the demanding caseload of the Criminal Laboratory and the skills and experience that meet the requirements of the position, the Department recommends an employment contract with Samantha Colquitt for the period of September 5, 2026 through September 4, 2027, with the option to extend the contract term for two additional one-year periods, subject to the County receiving continued funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, DNA CEBR Program, and subject to County Counsel review.
In the event that 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 cause with a 14-day advance written notice to the other party. The contract may be terminated for just cause immediately by the County.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott M. Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 12, 2026; Human Resources (Jose Mancilla, Human Resources Analyst, 387-5839) on August 12, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on August 14, 2026.