To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tennis Wick (707) 565-1925,Tyra Harrington (707) 565-1280
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (SCAVA) Program Extension
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution extending the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program until April 30, 2035.
end
Executive Summary:
Permit Sonoma, having served as the Service Authority for the Service Authority for Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program (SCAVA) since 1994, is requesting Board approval for another ten (10) year extension of that role.
Code Enforcement staff coordinates with local agencies to collect data on vehicles deemed abandoned that have been tagged and/or towed under this program. Staff also coordinates with the State of California to receive approved funding for this program and distributes those funds to the County and local partnering agencies. SCAVA, through Code Enforcement staff, abates abandoned vehicles under this program.
Abatement of abandoned junk vehicles from public roadways and private property increases traffic safety and removes potential hazards for inquisitive children, reduces the possibility of ground and surface water contamination caused by vehicles leaking fluid and increases property values.
Discussion:
In 1990, the California State Legislature enacted legislation allowing for the creation of county-based abandoned vehicle abatement service authorities pursuant to the provisions of Section 22710 of the California Vehicle Code.
As authorized under Resolution No. 94-1207, the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (SCAVA) was formed in 1994, and a one-dollar annual vehicle registration fee was imposed on vehicles registered to an owner with an address in the County of Sonoma.
Vehicle registration fees are collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles and allocated to the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority by the State Controller pursuant to Section 9250.7 of the California Vehicle Code. Fees are then allocated to participating entities based on percentage of population and percent of vehicles abated in relation to the total vehicles abated by the Service Authority as a whole.
From its inception in 1994, ten (10) agencies have participated. Current Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority participating entities are County of Sonoma, Cities of Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma and the Town of Windsor. The City of Cotati has not participated in recent years and attempts by County staff to reach out to City staff have been unsuccessful. Therefore, only nine (9) entities are proposed to continue under SCAVASA through April 30, 2035.
In FY 2023-24, the Service Authority received $511,750.80 in gross funding from the State of California, of this amount 95%, or $486,163.27, was distributed to the participating entities which provided for the abatement of a total of 4,598 abandoned vehicles from private and public properties throughout Sonoma County. The remaining 5%, or $25,587.53, of proceeds were allocated to cover administrative costs incurred by Permit Sonoma for the administration of quarterly distributions to participating entities, and biennial financial audit performed for the service authority pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 9250.7 (f).
California Vehicle Code Section 9250.7 (g) limits the one dollar fee imposed to a period of 10 years from the date the actual collection of the fee commenced subject to extension in increments of up to 10 years if the Board of Supervisors of the County, by a two-thirds vote, and a majority of the cities having a majority of the incorporated population within the county adopts resolutions providing for the extension of the fee.
Resolution No. 04-1104 was approved on November 30, 2004, which extended the program through April 30, 2015. Resolution No. 14-0367 was approved on September 16, 2014, which extended the program through April 30, 2025. All cities participating in the Service Authority for the next ten years are on track to have an approved resolution from their respective city councils to extend the program. Adoption of the attached resolution is required to extend this important and effective program.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Goal 5: Continue to invest in public safety so that residents and visitors feel safe in our community.
Objective: Objective 1: Align the Board of Supervisor’s strategic priorities, policy, and operational goals with funding and resources.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
September 16, 2014: Board adopted Resolution No. 14-0367 extending the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program through April 30, 2025.
November 30, 2004: Board adopted Resolution No. 04-1104 extending the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program through April 30, 2015.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$590,550 |
$588,748 |
$606,410 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$590,550 |
$588,748 |
$606,410 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$571,600 |
$588,748 |
$606,410 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$18,950 |
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$590,550 |
$588,748 |
$606,410 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
FY 23-24 received funding was $511,751. The FY 24-25 Adopted budget assumed conservative state revenues estimated at $571,600 at the time the budget was developed, and use of $18,950 in fund balance to fund expenses associated with the biennial financial audit anticipated in FY 24-25. Projected State of California funding growth rate is 3% per year for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27. Staff will prepare budgeted revenues to more closely match prior year revenue trends beginning FY 2025-26. The State provides quarterly distributions to the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority, held in Other Government Entity budget section 66070100 - Fund 74451.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Not Applicable
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Board of Supervisors Resolution
Attachment 2: SCAVASA Agreement and Participating Members City Council Resolutions
Attachment 3: Financial Distribution Breakdown by Entity
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None