To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of Grant Funding Made Available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program and Supplemental Budget Approval (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County District Attorney, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all documents necessary to secure, accept and reapply for grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program;
2. Approve the attached supplemental budget in Fund 1100, Budget Unit 205, District Attorney (4/5 vote required); and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a certified copy of the attached resolution to the District Attorney’s Office for further processing and submission to the State.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Department of Insurance
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has partnered with both the Del Norte and Trinity County District Attorney’s Offices for the purpose of developing and operating a regional Insurance Fraud Unit. The regional Insurance Fraud Unit is responsible for investigating and prosecuting workers’ compensation fraud, and providing community outreach regarding identification and reporting of insurance fraud in all three regional areas.
On July 2, 2019, the California Department of Insurance awarded the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office grant funding through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program in the amount of $223,494 to allow for the continued operation of the regional Insurance Fraud Unit during fiscal year 2019-2020.
This is the ninth year the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has participated in the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program. The grant funding made available thereunder will be used locally to fund a 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) District Attorney Investigator position and a .50 FTE Deputy District Attorney position that will be assigned to the regional Insurance Fraud Unit.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all documents necessary to secure, accept and reapply the grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
As noted above, acceptance of the grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program will allow the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to be reimbursed up to a maximum of $223,494 for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant agreement for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
The originally anticipated grant amount of $202,000 was included in the approved fiscal year 2019-2020 budget for budget unit 205-1100. As a result, acceptance of the grant award of $223,494 will create a supplemental budget of $21,494. This additional funding will be used to supplement minor investigation equipment, office supplies and training and travel expenses for inter-jurisdictional investigations as well as enhance staff development and training.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by creating opportunities to enforce laws and regulations, providing community appropriate levels of service and building inter-jurisdictional and regional cooperation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Insurance
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all documents necessary to secure, accept and reapply for the grant funding made available by the California Department of Insurance through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it does not allow for the continued operation of the regional Insurance Fraud Unit.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Grant Award Letter
2. Supplemental Budget
3. Resolution
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-13
Meeting of: December 18, 2018
Staff Report # 18-1598