REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 26, 2021
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 $437,669 for the investigation and prosecution of organized automobile fraud cases in San Bernardino County for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
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 by County Counsel.
3. Approve appropriation and revenue adjustments of $55,605 for the funds awarded in excess of the funds included in the District Attorney’s 2021-22 budget and authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section. (Four votes required)
4. 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, Chief 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 $437,669 from the State of California to fund the following existing positions assigned to the County’s Organized Automobile Fraud Activity Interdiction Program (Program): (1) Deputy District Attorney and (1) Senior Investigator. Funds assessed annually against insurers, in the amount of $0.560 for each insured vehicle, provide the funding source for this grant, and no matching funds are required. Revenue and appropriation in the amount of $382,064 was included in the District Attorney’s 2021-22 budget. A budget adjustment for the additional $55,605 is requested, as listed below:
|
Funds Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4500002754 |
40408955 |
State-Grants |
Increase |
$55,605 |
|
4500002754 |
55405010 |
Salaries & Bene Transfers Out |
Increase |
$55,605 |
|
4500001000 |
55415011 |
Salaries & Bene Transfers In |
Increase |
$55,605 |
|
4500001000 |
51001010 |
Salaries |
Increase |
$55,605 |
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 distributed 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 June 22, 2021 (Item No. 42), the Board of Supervisor (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, 2021 - June 30, 2024. On September 16, 2021, the Department received notification from the California Insurance Commissioner of the County’s grant award in the amount of $437,669 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. 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 October 8, 2021 date to return the signed Grant Award Agreement has been extended to October 26, 2021 to ensure adequate time to obtain Board approval.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Katherine Hardy, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 27, 2021; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Vanessa Doyle, Chief Deputy Controller, 382-3195) on October 1, 2021; Finance (Carl Lofton, Finance Analyst, 387-5404) on October 12, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on October 12, 2021.