To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program FY 2025-2027
☒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 Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program for fiscal years 2025-2027, with an initial amount of $73,000, for the purchase of new equipment for the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Toxicology Unit, for the initial period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in an initial revenue of $73,000. There is no County match requirement for this grant.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, Forensic Services Division (FSD) will use monies from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program FY 2025/2027 to purchase a Nitrogen Generator for use with the LCMSMS instruments and an upgraded temperature monitoring program. The FSD is an accredited crime laboratory providing toxicology services to more than 20 law enforcement agencies. These purchases will ensure efficient processing and analysis of evidence samples in driving under the influence cases.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve these grant purchases, there are increased risks of equipment failure which could result in the inability to perform in-house testing. The purchase of a nitrogen generator and upgrading the temperature monitoring program is essential to ensuring the continuity of laboratory operations. If laboratory operations are unable to be maintained, many requests for analysis will have to be sent to an outside laboratory, and analysis performed by an outside laboratory creates an increased prosecution burden and cost to Contra Costa County law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
IN THE MATTER OF Applying for and Accepting a grant from the California Highway Patrol
WHEREAS, the County of Contra Costa is seeking funds available through the California Highway Patrol for its Cannabis Tax Fund Program
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors: Authorizes 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 modifications and extensions provided by the California Highway Patrol.