To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
titleAcceptance of Grant Funding Made Available by the California Department of Insurance through the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program and Supplemental Budget Approval (4/5 Vote Required)end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County District Attorney, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all documents necessary to secure, accept and reapply for grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program;
2. Approve the attached supplemental budget in Fund 1100, Budget Unit 205, District Attorney (4/5 vote required); and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed, certified copy of the attached resolution to the District Attorney’s Office for submission to the California Department of Insurance.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Department of Insurance
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 automobile fraud, and providing community outreach regarding identification and reporting of insurance fraud in all three regional areas.
On August 25, 2023, the California Department of Insurance awarded the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office grant funding through the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program in the amount of Sixty-Eight Thousand Four Dollars ($68,004.00) to allow for the continued operation of the regional Insurance Fraud Unit during fiscal year 2023-2024.
This is the thirteenth (13th) year the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has participated in the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program. The grant funding made available thereunder will be used locally to fund a one-half (0.5) full time equivalent District Attorney Investigator position.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all documents necessary to secure, accept and reapply for grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Expenditures (1100205) |
FY23-24 |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
Budgeted Expenses |
$65,000.00 |
$65,000.00 |
$65,000.00 |
Additional Appropriation |
$3,004.00 |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$68,004.00 |
$65,000.00 |
$65,000.00 |
Funding Sources (1100205) |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
State/Federal Funds |
$68,004.00 |
$65,000.00 |
$65,000.00 |
Total Funding Sources |
$68,004.00 |
$65,000.00 |
$65,000.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
As noted above, acceptance of the grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Automobile Insurance Fraud Program will allow the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to be reimbursed up to a maximum of Sixty-Eight Thousand Four Dollars ($68,004.00) for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant agreement for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
The originally anticipated grant amount of Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000.00) was included in the approved fiscal year 2023-2024 budget for budget unit 1100-205. As a result, acceptance of the grant award of Sixty-Eight Thousand Four Dollars ($68,004.00) will create a supplemental budget of Three Thousand Four Dollars ($3,004.00). This additional funding will be used to support outreach costs of the assigned District Attorney Investigator.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Authorization to accept the funding made available by the California Department of Insurance will allow the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to fund a one-half (0.5) full time equivalent District Attorney Investigator position.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework:
Core Roles: Enforce laws and regulations to protect residents
New Initiatives: Build interjurisdictional and regional cooperation
Strategic Plan: 3.1 - Improve the economy of Humboldt County
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Insurance
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all documents necessary to secure, accept and reapply for grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Automobile 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 Award Letter
2. Supplemental Budget
3. Resolution
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-19
Meeting of: December 22, 2022
File No.: 22-1732