To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Establishing Fixed Asset Line for Budget Unit 221400 Sheriff Coroner’s Office
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve an appropriations transfer request establishing a fixed asset line in FY 2019-20 Budget Unit 221400 Coroner’s Office for purchase of a gurney power lift (Attachment 1).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
The Coroner’s Office has two trucks utilized for deceased person transport. Prior to the transport, the decedent is loaded onto a gurney that is motorized to move up and down, making it easier to load the decedent onto the gurney. Once the decedent is secured to the gurney, it is moved to the rear of the truck. The deputy must then use his/her own strength to get the gurney into the back of the truck and secured.
The gurney itself is rather heavy, but when a decedent is loaded onto it, it becomes even heavier. Depending on the size of the decedent, the combined weight of the gurney and decedent can range from 200 to 400+ pounds. Not only is it heavy, but in instances where the ground is uneven or unlevel it creates a situation in which the gurney becomes top heavy, making it difficult to balance and subject to tipping. This situation is dangerous and creates a high risk of injury to the loading deputy, as well as a risk of damaging equipment. Furthermore, there is a risk of dropping the gurney with the decedent loaded on it.
There has been one worker’s compensation case within the last 2 years where a deputy missed work and was on light duty for over a year due to a shoulder injury caused by loading/unloading a gurney and decedent into the back of the truck. The Coroner’s Office would like to move forward with the purchase of a power lift to make this process more efficient, safer, and help prevent any further associated work-related injuries.
In March 2019, your board approved the replacement of an outdated gurney to a Stryker motorized gurney that is compatible with a power lift. Stryker gurney was the selected model because no other known models were compatible with a power lift. Currently, there are funds to purchase one power lift with hopes of being able to purchase a second sometime in the future.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The power lift with tax, shipping and installation costs $26,694.74. An appropriation transfer from budget unit 1100-221 Sheriff Operations object code 2123 - Special Departmental Expenses is requested to establish a fixed asset for the power lift and installation to budget unit 1100-221400 Coroner Office. As of Oct. 28, 2019 there is $538,367.69 available in the Special Departmental object code. There is no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure and investing in county employees.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the recommendation; however, this is not recommended as the power lift is intended to help reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Request for Budget Transfer for Budget Unit 221400
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: None
Meeting of: March 5, 2019
File No: 19-165