REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 8, 2022
FROM
JASON ANDERSON, District Attorney
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award Amendment for the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Grant Award Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 21-764 with the California Insurance Commissioner to accept an additional $57,632, increasing the Grant award from $760,898 to a total award amount of $818,530, to fund the investigation and prosecution of automobile insurance 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, authorizing the District Attorney to execute and submit all documents in relation to the acceptance of the Grant Award Amendment, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments of $57,632, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section, in the District Attorney’s 2021-22 budget (Four votes required).
4. Direct the District Attorney to transmit all Grand Award Amendment documents 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 additional grant award of $57,632 does not require a match and was not included in the District Attorney’s Office (Department) 2021-22 budget. A budget adjustment for the additional $57,632 is requested, as listed below:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4500002670 |
40408955 |
State-Grants |
Increase |
$57,632 |
|
4500002670 |
55405010 |
Salaries & Benefits Transfers Out |
Increase |
$57,632 |
|
4500001000 |
55415011 |
Salaries & Benefits Transfers In |
Increase |
($57,632) |
|
4500001000 |
51001010 |
Salaries |
Increase |
$57,632 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The State Insurance Commissioner, as authorized by Section 1872.8 of the California Insurance Code and California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Section 2698.65, annually distributes grant funds to agencies statewide for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting automobile insurance fraud cases. The Department has been receiving funds for this purpose since 1991. In addition to keeping the public safe, the Department’s prosecution of automobile insurance fraud often results in reduced insurance claim payments and a commensurate decrease in automobile insurance premiums for County residents.
On October 26, 2021 (Item No. 34), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Grant Award Agreement No. 21-764 with the California Insurance Commissioner accepting $760,898 for the Automobile Insurance Fraud Prosecution Program. The grant is used to partially fund the following existing positions: one Deputy District Attorney, two Deputy District Senior Investigators, and one Secretary I. On January 6, 2022, the Department was notified of additional grant funding in the amount of $57,632. The grant award letter references a return date of February 4, 2022, which has been extended to February 11, 2022 by the Insurance Commissioner’s office in order to obtain all necessary approvals and signatures.
The State of California, Department of Insurance requires a resolution from the Board authorizing the District Attorney to execute and submit all documents in relation to the acceptance of the Grant Award Amendment.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Katherine Hardy, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 12, 2022; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Vanessa Doyle, Chief Deputy Controller, 382-3195) on January 13, 2022; Finance (Carl Lofton, Finance Analyst, 387-5405) on January 24, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 24, 2022.