To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Agreement
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair to sign the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (Attachment 1);
2. Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff and Deputy Director of Sheriff’s Administration to execute all the necessary reimbursement claims, applications, contracts, and agreements and amendments thereto, in the name of the County of Humboldt, and all other documents required by the California Department of Parks and Recreation for participation in the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a signed copy of the agreement to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Attention: Manda Terrill for submittal to funding agency.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Vessel Tax and California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Boating Safety and Enforcement Program (BS&E) focuses mainly on boating safety through education. This is achieved through vessel inspections for safety equipment and current registrations. Inspections are most often done during field contacts at local marinas and boat ramps, as well as boat patrols on the waterways. In addition, the BS&E program assists in search and rescue operations, which includes responsibility for over 500 miles of freshwater river systems and over 400 square miles of saltwater along the Humboldt Bay area.
HCSO’s application for continued participation in the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Financial Aid Program for boating safety has been accepted, and an award of $121,530 was granted. The Financial Aid Program enables HCSO to assign the appropriate level of staffing to effectively provide safety services outlined in BS&E regulations.
Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code, Section 663.7 (e) The department shall not allocate funds to any county or a public agency within a county unless the department receives a resolution adopted annually by the board of supervisors authorizing the county to participate in the program and certifying that the county will expend for boating safety programs during that year not less than an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount received by the county from personal property taxes on vessels. The money allocated to a county pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be used only for boating safety and enforcement programs, as specified in subdivision (a), that are conducted in that county.
Therefore, based on the award, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the attached agreement; authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the FY 2019-2020 agreement, and delegate signatory authority to the Sheriff, Undersheriff and Deputy Director of Sheriff’s Administration for all necessary applications, contracts, reimbursements, claims and agreements and amendments, and all other documents required for participation in the program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, Boating and Waterways Division awarded Humboldt County continued support in the Financial Aid Program in the amount of $121,530 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. These funds, combined with the county's Boat Tax and General Fund allocation of approximately $44,732 for next fiscal year, constitute an estimated BS&E program revenue of $166,262.
The BS&E program (Budget Unit 229) funds one full-time and one part-time Deputy Sheriff whose primary duties will be enforcement of state and local laws and regulations for boating activities, inspection of vessels for compliance, supervision of organized on-the-water boating activities and search and rescue operations originating from on-the-water activities.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could deny the authorization to accept the Boating and Waterways Financial Aid Program funds, however, this is not recommended as these funds cover expenses related to the county's boating safety and enforcement activities. Without this funding HCSO would be forced to curtail or terminate the program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program Agreement
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A