To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
title
Accept Donation of $19,000 to Support the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and Supplemental Budget in the Amount of $125,000 for a 3D Scanner for the Major Crimes Division (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept an anonymous donation to support HCSO in the amount of $19,000 (Attachment 1); and
2. Approve a supplemental budget in Budget Unit 1100-221340, Major Crimes Division in the amount of $125,000 for a 3D Scanner (Attachment 2) (4/5 Vote Required).
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The HCSO received an anonymous donation in the amount of $19,000.00 (attachment 1). The funds were sent via a cashier’s check and have been verified with the bank. HCSO Major Crimes Division (MCD) needs to replace an outdated 3D scanner for processing crime scenes. HCSO requests a supplemental budget to proceed with replacing the outdated scanner funded with this donation and Department of Justice (DOJ) federal asset forfeiture funds received in FY 2024-25.
Major crime scenes, including homicide scenes and officer involved incidents, are evidentially valuable in a critical investigation. Crime scenes are processed and documented as thoroughly as possible. A scan is used to create a real-life picture of the scene, which is a critical piece of the evidence. The scanner currently used by MCD is over a decade old and takes approximately 30 minutes for each scan of the crime scene. If a scene needs 6 scans, then investigators are unable to process the scene for at least 3 hours while the scan is being conducted. Time is of the essence in processing and documenting a crime scene, so this delay needed for scanning is not ideal. It is also labor intensive for the Forensic Specialists running the scanner.
With technological advances that have been made in the last decade, there are many more features, capabilities, and time saving processing for today’s scanners. MCD is requesting the Leica RTC360 3D scanner and will work with County Purchasing to ensure compliance with the Board’s Purchasing Policy in completing the purchase.
The machine that MCD is requesting can complete one scan in 6 minutes which will drastically reduce the amount of time for the Forensic Specialist to complete the crime scene scanning. The new technology also allows Sheriff’s Investigators to process the scene while the scan is being completed and will significantly reduce the amount of time for the Forensic Specialists to complete the scans. The scanner will create a 3D image of any scene processed. The scanner can provide a "Fly Through" feature that allows the prosecutor and a jury to place themselves at the crime scene and view it from any position, height or angle. It allows the viewer to see the scene as it was when the incident happened. It takes measurements from points of interest, such evidence, entrances and exits, or where a decedent was located.
Replacing the outdated scanner with more current technology will help improve the public’s safety and security. It will help Sheriff’s Investigators build a more detailed case faster to assist the District Attorney to achieve successful arrest and prosecution of dangerous persons.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Anonymous Donation
Federal DOJ Asset Forfeiture (Trust 3637)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100,221340) |
FY25-26 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$0 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$125,000.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$125,000.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1100,221340) |
FY25-26 |
|
General Fund |
$0 |
|
Anonymous Donation |
$ 19,000.00 |
|
Federal DOJ Asset Forfeiture (3637) |
$106,000.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$125,000.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
HCSO is estimating that the cost of the 3D scanner, software, training, and 3-years of maintenance and support will not exceed $125,000. A supplemental budget in 1100-221340 in the amount of $125,000 is requested to cover the purchase and 3-years prepaid support for the scanner. The $19,000.00 donation doesn’t cover the entire cost of the Leica 3D scanner and therefore HCSO will utilize federal asset forfeiture funds for the remaining $106,000. HCSO’s portion of the Federal DOJ Asset Forfeiture Trust 3637 available fund balance as of June 30, 2025 is $471,597.71.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no negative staffing impact. The addition of the 3D Leica Scanner will reduce time in the field for the Forensic Specialists to complete the scanning.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to accept this donation, however, that is not recommended as it is funding intended to assist HCSO in keeping the community safe. The Board may choose not to approve the supplemental budget for the 3D scanner, this is also not recommended as the new technology of a 3D scanner can greatly improve efforts to arrest and prosecute dangerous persons in our community.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Anonymous Donation Letter
Attachment 2 - MCD Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A