To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Governing Body Resolution for U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to submit the governing body resolution for the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program grant application; and
2. If awarded, authorize the County Administrative Officer, the Sheriff, and the Sheriff’s Deputy Director of Financial and Support Services to accept grant funds and sign any documents required by the Department of Justice for participation in the program, provided all contractual documents are reviewed and approved by Risk Management, County Counsel, and the County Administrative Office prior to signing; and
3. Authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program Certification and Assurances Letter (Attachment 2); and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a completed and signed copy of the Resolution to the HCSO in email format, Attention: Lucinda Jackson, for submittal to the funding agency.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) administers grants designed to prevent and respond to domestic- and dating-violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The purpose of the FY 2026 Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program is to support local government efforts to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals. Grant funding objectives include training for law enforcement, dispatch, and prosecutors relating to cybercrimes against individuals, assisting law enforcement in enforcing laws that prohibit cybercrimes, educate the public, and assisting law enforcement and prosecutors acquire technology and software necessary to conduct investigations and forensic analysis of evidence.
The award ceiling for purposes 3-10 of this grant opportunity is $500,000.
The original Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlined 10 out-of-scope activities. Several of these activities were stayed by the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, specifically activities 2-5, 7-9, and 11 on pages 5-6 of the court’s opinion (Attachment 4). Applications must include an out-of-scope activities certification letter for activities that fall outside of the court’s Memorandum and Order. It is unclear if the out-of-scope activities will remain stricken in the future; they may become applicable if the District Court’s stay is lifted.
If awarded, it will be used to purchase technology and software to perform investigations and forensic analysis of evidence in matters involving cybercrimes against individuals, especially regarding Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM). This typically involves large amounts of data from computers and cell phones. The technology software enables confidential and secure storage and collaborating and sharing necessary information with investigators and prosecutors.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
United States Department of Justice (1100-221)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100, 221) |
FY26-27 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$0 |
|
Supplemental Budget Request (Request will be made at a later Board meeting if awarded) |
$500,000 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$500,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1100, 221) |
FY26-27 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$500,000 |
|
Asset Forfeiture Funds |
$0 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$500,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
This will be the HCSO’s first application for the OVW Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program. The award ceiling for purposes 3-10 of this grant is $500,000. Total grant funding available for technology and software is $425,000. Indirect charges are included and calculated at 10%, or $50,000, supporting administrative and central service (e.g., Purchasing, Information Technology) functions necessary to manage the project, and 5%, or $25,000, for grant administration salaries, totaling 15%, or $75,000, federal de minimis maximum allowable. The HCSO is requesting the full $500,000 in grant funding. There is no match requirement for this grant. If awarded, HCSO will return to your board for a supplemental budget.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There will be no impact on current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
United States Department of Justice
Humboldt County Drug Task Force
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose not to apply for this funding award. This is not recommended as cybercrime, especially CSAM-related crimes in rural Humboldt County communities are on the rise.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: Certification and Assurances Letter
Attachment 3: Acknowledgement of Notice of Statutory Requirement to Comply with the Confidentiality and Privacy Provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, as Amended
Attachment 4: United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island Memorandum and Order
Attachment 5: Out-of-Scope Activities Certification Letter
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: n/a
File No.: n/a