To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ellen McDonnell, Public Defender
Report Title: APPROVE Budget Amendment BDA-26-00002 authorizing new revenue from the California Office of the State Public Defender in the amount of $849,635 to the Public Defender's Office to fund a holistic legal advocacy program. (100% State)
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE Budget Amendment BDA-26-00002 authorizing new revenue from the California Office of the State Public Defender in the amount of $849,635 to the Public Defender’s Office to fund a holistic legal advocacy program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% State funding, matching funds are not required. This action will increase Fiscal Year 2025-26 revenue appropriations by $849,635 and increase corresponding expenditure appropriations by the same amount.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Defender’s Office received Board of Supervisors’ approval and authorization on January 20, 2026, to apply for and accept grant funding from the California Office of the Public Defender (OSPD) in an amount not to exceed $849,635 to fund a holistic legal advocacy program. OSPD announced that the Contra Costa Office of the Public Defender has been awarded $849,635 for the holistic legal advocacy program for the grant period of February 1, 2026 to June 1, 2028. The purpose of this staff report is to appropriate revenues and expenditures for FY2025-26 which is consistent with the acceptance of the grant as previously approved by the Board.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Public Defender’s Office will not be able to appropriate revenues and expenditures consistent with acceptance of the grant as approved by the Board.