To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: State of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant FFY2027
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a Resolution authorizing the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to apply for, accept and approve grant funding, including amendments and extensions, pursuant to the grant guidelines, with the California Office of Traffic Safety, in an initial amount of $140,000 for the Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services Unit to request for outside validation services for the blood alcohol program, consumable support for DUI/DUID analysis, and travel for technical staff training and conferences for the initial period of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in a State revenue of $140,000. There is no County match requirement for this grant.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff, Forensic Services Division (FSD) operates an ISO 17025 ANAB Accredited Crime Laboratory able to provide County-wide Forensic Toxicological testing services.
The FSD’s Alcohol Unit is responsible for the analysis of blood and urine evidence for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs (DUI) cases. The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant funds are needed to ensure efficient processing and analysis of DUI-related offenses. The OTS Grant funds will be used for validation services that will provide a method that will detect alcohol and other volatile substances on the GC/MS-FID systems. New updated testing methods will allow the FSD to meet current accreditation and state (Title 17) guidelines. The OTS grant funds will also provide consumable support and funding for training and conferences for the technical staff in the Alcohol and Toxicology units.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, some requests for analysis will have to be sent to an accredited outside laboratory. Analysis performed by an outside laboratory creates an increased burden and cost to Contra Costa County law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office when the case is prosecuted.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
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IN THE MATTER OF Applying for and Accepting a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety,
WHEREAS, the County of Contra Costa is seeking funds available through the State of California Office of Traffic Safety,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors: Authorize the Sheriff-Coroner, Undersheriff, or the Sheriff’s Chief of Management Services, to execute for and on behalf of the County of Contra Costa, a public entity established under the laws of the State of California, any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining State financial assistance including grant modification and extensions provided by the State of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant.
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