To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) Grant and Supplemental Budget in the Amount of $153,000 (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair of the Board, Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Deputy Director of Sheriff’s Financial and Support Services as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to all necessary grant agreements, strategic plans, letters of agreement, contracts, amendments, and reimbursement claims which may be necessary for obtaining grant funds from the FY2026 COPS TEP Grant (Attachment 1) with the understanding that grant funds received shall not be used to supplant expenditures controlled by this Board; and
2. Approve the Supplemental Budget in the amount of $153,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 (Attachment 2). (4/5 Vote Required)
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
Humboldt County’s persistent economic hardship has created significant strain on local government resources and the public safety system that depends on them. Competing demands leave little flexibility for critical infrastructure replacement within the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), despite growing operational needs.
As the primary law enforcement provider across more than 3,600 square miles of remote, rural terrain, the HCSO faces increasing calls for service, long response times, and complex criminal activity tied to the region’s designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. These challenges are amplified by staffing shortages, aging equipment, and the lack of modern technology needed to maintain situational awareness in geographically isolated areas. Although the county must prioritize general‑fund spending on core safety‑net programs, this has left no remaining capacity to replace the HCSO’s outdated computer systems. Of the agency’s 94 computers, 74 were purchased between 2015 and 2019 and the remaining 20 in 2020. With a three‑to‑five‑year service life, every workstation has exceeded its lifecycle and is now functionally obsolete.
The HCSO submitted a FY2026 TEP Grant application with COPS for the purchase of new personal computers (PC). A quote was obtained at the time of the application indicating a per unit PC price of $1,625.96. Due to the age of the quoted price, the HCSO anticipates an increase in the per unit PC price resulting in fewer units being replaced than originally requested.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100,221) |
FY26-27 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
0 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$153,000 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$153,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1100, 221) |
FY26-27 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$153,000 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$153,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The attached supplemental budget includes a total FY 2026-27 supplemental budget request of $153,000 in Fund 1100, Budget Unit 221, for the purchase of PCs for HCSO staff.
Revenue for this action is available from the COPS grant described above, and expenditures will be recorded in the Sheriff’s Office main budget unit 1100-221.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no impact on Sheriff staffing. Replacing this many computers all at once will be an impact on County IT Staffing, however they have been aware this is coming and will coordinate with HCSO on the implementation schedule. In the long-run having updated computers within warranty will create less maintenance work for IT.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
County Administrative Office - Information Technology Division
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your board could choose not to approve staff’s recommendations. This is not recommended as this grant will provide equipment necessary to maintain the HCSO critical services and programs that promote public safety.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Grant Pre-Acceptance Award Package
Attachment 2: Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: n/a
File No.: n/a