REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 24, 2023
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue Agreement with the Victor Valley Transit Authority for Law Enforcement Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Revenue Agreement with the Victor Valley Transit Authority for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to provide law enforcement services for the Passenger Bus System covering the San Bernardino High Desert cities and unincorporated County areas, in the total amount of $714,082, for the period of February 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend by two additional one-year periods.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to revise and execute amendments to Schedule A of the Revenue Agreement with the Victor Valley Transit Authority, on an annual basis for fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, to update the cost of service based on the Board of Supervisors approved Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s budget for 2023-24 and 2024-25, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit revisions and amendments to Schedule A of this Revenue Agreement to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
4. Authorize the addition of the following five new regular positions effective February 1, 2023, needed to fulfill contract law enforcement service levels requested by the Victor Valley Transit Authority:
a. Four new Deputy Sheriff positions, Safety Unit, R16 (each $73,424 - $115,482 annually).
b. One new Sheriff’s Sergeant position, Safety Management and Supervisory Unit, R25 ($102,627 - $151,050 annually).
(Presenter: Kelly Welty, 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.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The proposed Revenue Agreement (Agreement) provides revenue for fiscal year 2022-23 in the estimated amount of $714,082, which includes recovery of both direct and indirect cost for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) to provide law enforcement services for the Victor Valley Transit Authority’s (VVTA) bus system covering the San Bernardino High Desert cities and unincorporated County areas. Revenue from this Agreement was not included in the Department’s 2022-23 adopted budget. Budget adjustments are not requested at this time, but may be included on a future agenda item presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval. Sufficient appropriation and revenue will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
VVTA is a public transit agency providing bus, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit, and vanpool services to the County’s High Desert communities, commuter service to Fort Irwin National Training Center, and connecting service from the High Desert to the Inland Empire. VVTA requested a long-term agreement for the provision of law enforcement services for the period of February 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend the agreement by two additional one-year periods. This Agreement is beneficial to both VVTA and the County as having a dedicated law enforcement presence will increase public safety on the High Desert’s passenger bus transit system.
The recommended Revenue Agreement includes annual review of the information listed in the Agreement’s Schedule A, which reflects the cost of service, to ensure proper cost recovery by the County. Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will authorize the Department to revise and execute amendments to the Schedule A, subject to review by County Counsel, to reflect future costs as per the Department’s budget, and approved by the Board for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
The Agreement includes one Sheriff’s Sergeant, four Deputy Sheriffs, and five unmarked patrol units for the service level as agreed to by the Department and VVTA.
The necessary new positions are typically requested outside the annual budget process and included in the Mid-Year Budget Report of the fiscal year. Approval of Recommendation No. 4 will expedite the hiring process to meet the requested service levels and allow the Department to provide services in advance of the Mid-Year Budget Report. In the event of a reduction to the level of service for the Agreement, incumbent staff will be reassigned to existing vacant positions within the Department. All of the Department’s law enforcement services contracts provide for termination by either party upon one-year advance written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 28, 2022; Human Resources (Gina King, Deputy Director, 387-5771) on December 21, 2022; Risk Management (Victor Tordesillas, Director, 386-8621) on December 20, 2022; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on January 5, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 9, 2023.