To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation, Sheriff’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Brian Morris 565-3876, Carla Rodriguez 565-2311, Vanessa Fuchs 565-2732, Eddie Engram 565-1423
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Budget Adjustments for Acceptance of Justice Assistance Equipment and Training Program Grant
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Budgetary Resolution approving budget adjustments to the Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation, and Sheriff’s Office FY 25-26 approved budgets to implement the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Equipment and Training Program grant in the amount of $374,029.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County has been awarded funding through the JAG Equipment and Training Program grant to support a coordinated initiative across four justice departments: the Public Defender’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, and the Sheriff’s Office. The project aims to modernize technology, enhance officer and staff safety, and strengthen workforce resilience.
This item requests adoption of a budget resolution to appropriate JAG funds to the respective departments in accordance with the approved grant application. There is no matching requirement for this grant and no cost to the General Fund.
Discussion:
The JAG Equipment and Training Program grant addresses the following needs identified through interdepartmental collaboration:
• Public Defender’s Office - $125,000
o Replacement of outdated computers and tablets
o Installation of video conferencing systems and central printers
o Subscription to transcription services
o Training in indigent defense and trauma-informed practices
• District Attorney’s Office - $83,244
o Courtroom technology upgrades
o Training for prosecutors and victim advocates on violent crime, trauma, and burnout prevention
• Probation Department - $82,988
o Purchase of ballistic vests and field identification gear
o Wellness and resiliency training for officers
• Sheriff’s Office - $82,797
o Crisis intervention team and peer support/wellness training
o Acquisition of an automated chest compression system for the Main Adult Detention Facility
These investments align with the JAG Program Purpose Areas (PPAs) and Priority Areas of Need, including law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, and mental health initiatives.
The Public Defender applied for and accepted this grant pursuant to Board Resolution 25-0429 (September 16, 2025), which authorized the Public Defender to apply for and implement certain grant programs with County Counsel approval. Consistent with that authority, the Public Defender has collaborated with County Counsel and received approval to proceed with the JAG grant application and execution.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Organizational Excellence
Goal: Goal 4: Seek out grant funding to enhance programs and improve infrastructure
Objective: Objective 1: Secure a total of $60 million in grant funding by 2026 for strategic priorities, including technology tools, climate resiliency, and other capital projects.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
September 16, 2025 - Delegation of authority to the Public Defender to apply for and accept certain grant funding.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
374,029 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
374,029 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
374,029 |
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
374,029 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The total JAG grant award is $374,029. Proposed budget adjustments are as follows:
• Public Defender - $125,000
• District Attorney - $83,244
• Probation - $82,988
• Sheriff’s Office - $82,797
All expenditures will be reimbursed through the JAG grant. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
• Budget Resolution
• Approved JAG application
• JAG Project Budget
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.