To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Memorandum of Understanding
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Retroactively approve the attached HCDTF Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) effective June 30, 2022; and
2. Authorize Sheriff William Honsal and DA Maggie Fleming to execute the MOU on behalf of their departments.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
State and Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds
DISCUSSION:
The HCDTF was originally established in 1983 in conjunction with the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) and local law enforcement agencies. The BNE initially provided management of the task force under the direction of an executive board consisting of the Sheriff, chiefs of local law enforcement agencies, the DA and California Highway Patrol Commander.
With legislative changes, it became necessary to change the structure of the task force. The executive board members agreed to provide resources to continue HCDTF and in May 2013 your Board approved the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that officially designated HCDTF under the management of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Participating agencies are responsible for the expenses related to the salary, benefits, basic training and equipment of the deputies and staff assigned to the task force. Operating expenses for HCDTF are provided through state and federal asset forfeiture revenues and occasionally grant revenue. These revenues are maintained by the county and administered by HCSO.
Participating agencies include:
City of Arcata Police Department (APD)
City of Eureka Police Department (EPD)
City of Fortuna Police Department (FPD)
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office (DA)
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO)
The HCDTF MOU outlines the roles and responsibilities of HCSO, as well as the participating agencies. Included in the MOU is the delegation of an Executive Board, resources by each agency, the responsibilities of HCSO, and a formula for equitable sharing of seized assets. A renewal agreement was developed for a five-year term from June 30, 2022 through June 30, 2027 and circulated to each participating agency for approval and signatures. Due to the amount of time it took for the MOU to circulate for approval by each city, it is coming to your Board late and therefore this request is for retroactive approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Each participating agency bears the costs of deputies and staff assigned to HCDTF. The daily operational costs of the HCDTF are paid from asset forfeiture proceeds derived from task force activities and occasionally offset by grant revenue. The Sheriff’s Office manages the HCDTF operational costs in the approved annual budget in fund 3644, budget unit 265. No additional funding is requested to support the recommendation.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by building interjurisdictional and regional cooperation, and enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
City of Arcata Police Department
City of Eureka Police Department
City of Fortuna Police Department
California Highway Patrol
Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the recommendations; however, this is not recommended since it would leave the HCDTF without a governing agreement, and would delay the HCDTF in managing its operations timely.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Drug Task Force MOU
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A