To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of a Supplemental Budget for Grant Funding Made Available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached supplemental budget in Fund 1100, Budget Unit 205, District Attorney (4/5 vote required).
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
State of California, Department of Insurance and the General Fund
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has partnered with both the Del Norte and Trinity County District Attorney’s Offices for the purpose of developing and operating a regional Insurance Fraud Unit. The regional Insurance Fraud Unit is responsible for investigating and prosecuting workers’ compensation fraud and providing community outreach regarding identification and reporting of insurance fraud in all three regional areas.
On July 2, 2019, the California Department of Insurance awarded the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office grant funding through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program in the amount of $223,494 to allow for the continued operation of the regional Insurance Fraud Unit during fiscal year 2019-2020.
On Feb. 10, 2020, the California Department of Insurance awarded the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office additional grant funding through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program in the amount of $1,530 to allow for the continued operation of the regional Insurance Fraud Unit during fiscal year 2019-2020.
This funding will assist in office expenses incurred by District Attorney Investigator and Deputy District Attorney positions during the fiscal year 2019-2020.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board approve the supplemental budget proposed by the District Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
As noted above, acceptance of the supplemental grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program will allow the Humboldt District Attorney’s Office to be reimbursed up to a maximum of $225,024 for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant agreement for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. There is no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health providing community appropriate levels of service and building inter-jurisdictional and regional cooperation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Insurance
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the supplemental budget allowing the Humboldt County District Attorney, to be reimbursed by grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it does not allow for the continued operation of the regional Insurance Fraud Unit.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Grant Supplemental Award Letter
2. Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-26
Meeting of: December 16, 2019
File No.: 19-123