REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 3, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for the Fiscal Year 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Fiscal Year 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program, in the amount of $610,994 for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Sheriff’s Scientific Investigations Division Laboratory Director, or Sheriff’s Administrative Manager to sign and submit the electronic grant application, and accept related assurances and certifications, on behalf of the County, as required by the United States Department of Justice, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Sheriff’s Scientific Investigations Division Laboratory Director, or Sheriff’s Administrative Manager to transmit the grant application referenced in Recommendation No. 1 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
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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). If awarded, the grant will provide funding in the amount of $610,994 to assist with backlogged Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) analysis. The Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for acceptance of the grant award and request any necessary budget adjustments. No matching funds are required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department is seeking grant funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) that are available to states and local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis. The funds are to be used for analyzing backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, as well as improving DNA laboratory infrastructure and analysis capacity so that forensic DNA samples can be processed efficiently and cost effectively.
The Department has received funding under this program since fiscal year (FY) 2006-07, which has been used to hire contracted services, replace outdated equipment, purchase supplies, and provide training and overtime for the crime laboratory’s personnel.
The Department’s application under the FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program (Program) requests funding for overtime, contract services, equipment, training, travel, and supplies to improve the crime laboratory’s efficiency in processing cases. The funding for overtime is to provide additional staff time dedicated to DNA analysis. The grant requires a training component; therefore, the training funds will be used to attend DNA-related meetings, conferences, or workshops. The funding for contract services will allow the Department to contract with an accredited laboratory to assist with backlog reduction and expedite turnaround time for DNA test results. The funding for equipment will cover the purchase of an autoclave, for use in the DNA laboratory, to sterilize reagents used in the DNA analysis process. The funding for supplies will be used to purchase chemical analysis kits and other supplies necessary to process DNA samples during the grant period.
The application for the Program requires the approval of certifications that are binding upon the County, as well as an up-front agreement to be bound by the conditions that will accompany the federal grant funds. No approval signatures are required until the grant is awarded. County Policy 05-13 requires Board approval to submit any grant application or related amendments that are legally binding.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, Sheriff’s Scientific Investigations Division Laboratory Director, or Sheriff’s Administrative Manager to sign and electronically submit the grant application and related assurances in compliance with United States Department of Justice policy. The Department of Justice’s Grant Management System, JustGrants, requires an Authorized Representative with legal authority to enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with the federal government on behalf of the county. The Sheriff’s Administrative Manager is listed as an Authorized Representative in the JustGrants system. If the County’s application is approved, the Department will return to the Board to accept the grant award.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Miles Kowalski, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 9, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on October 16, 2026.