To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of the Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), 2024 BJA FY24 Invited to Apply - Jared Huffman Community Project Funding grant award administered by the Byrne Discretionary Grants Program and approval of the Supplemental Budget in the Amount of $175,000 (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair of the Board, Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Deputy Director of Financial and Support Services to accept grant funds and execute all necessary contracts and agreements and amendments thereto, in the name of the County of Humboldt, and all other certifications, assurances, Memorandums of Understanding, or documents required by the Byrne Discretionary Grants Program, such authorization shall be retroactive to May 1, 2024, to facilitate documents that need to be signed timely for this grant; and
2. Approve the Supplemental Budget (Attachment 2) for the Byrne Discretionary Grants Program budget unit 1100-221915 in the amount of $175,000 (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:
Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) has solved numerous high profile Unidentified Human Remains (UHR) cases in California. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) used FGG technology to solve a 25-year-old missing persons case and Jeffery Todd Sydow's remains were returned to family for burial. The average time to build a DNA profile using these advanced methods is 12 weeks, and the genealogical research time depends on several factors but can range from days to months. The families of these individuals have no idea what happened to their loved ones. Identifying these victims assists in advancing the investigation in these cases.
Typically, FGG testing costs $7,500-$8,500 per test, therefore, to test the remaining 20 cases in HCSO possession, $170,000 was requested for this onetime grant, plus $5,000 for administrative costs to submit tests, close case files, and manage grant funds.
The HCSO has receive Notice of Approval (Attachment 1) for grant funding totaling $175,000 to submit our backlog of UHR cases for testing. This grant is retroactive to May 1, 2024 and ends September 30, 2025 however, if approval of funds is granted, all cases will be submitted for testing and these funds will be utilized in FY2024-25. This grant agreement comes before your Board after the start date due to late receipt of the Notice of Approval.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Byrne Discretionary Grants Program (1100-221915)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100-221915) |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$175,000 |
$0 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$175,000 |
$0 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1100-221915) |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
General Fund |
$0 |
$0 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$175,000 |
$0 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$175,000 |
$0 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The supplemental budget request (Attachment 2) recognizes the receipt of $175,000 in grant revenue for FY2024-25 in budget unit 1100-221915. The funds will be utilized to cover the UHR FGG testing costs ($170,000) and administrative Extra Help salary costs ($5,000) for submitting and closing cases.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
The grant will cover up to $5,000 in administrative salaries related to submitting DNA for testing, notifying families of solved cases, and closing case files. These administrative hours will be performed by Extra-Help. No additional staff is needed.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could deny the request to accept the grant funds; however, this is not recommended as these funds will aid HCSO in solving 20 Unidentified Human Remains cases which would bring closure to the families of these victims. Without these funds, due to the cost of FGG UHR testing, these cases may go unsolved.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Award FAW-182014
2. 1100-221915 Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A