To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jill Ravitch 565-3068, Shane Lewis 565-3150
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Addition of One Full-Time Victim Witness Advocate II for the District Attorney’s Victim Services Division.
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution amending the Department Allocation list adding a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Victim Witness Advocate I/II, with funding provided by the Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership via California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109).
B) Adopt a resolution adjusting the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Adopted Budgets for the District Attorney’s Office to add expenditure appropriations for the new 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Advocate, and the associated reimbursement from the Community Corrections Partnership Fund.
(4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests authorization to add one full-time Victim Witness Advocate I/II to support victims of crime perpetrated by those released as a result of California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109) and provide additional support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. The Victim Witness Advocate will help ensure that the victim has information and support throughout the criminal justice process. This position will be funded by the Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) via California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109). The CCP approved this funding request on August 30, 2021. The funding will be requested by the department on an annual basis though the Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership.
Discussion:
The District Attorney’s Office proposes the addition of one full-time Victim Witness Advocate I/II to ensure that the victims of crime, perpetrated by those that are released as a result of California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109), have the appropriate resources and support mandated by Marsy’s Law (Victim’s Bill of Rights as described in the California Constitution). The Victim Advocate I/II will provide support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes and is an important part of making sure that victims’ voices are heard and they are connected to adequate services available to them including assistance with Victim Compensation Board applications, support with civil and criminal restraining orders, establishing a safe shelter situation, and are made aware of Marsy’s Law protections. Victim Advocates provide mandated and optional services and will be funded by the Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership via California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109). The funding will be requested by the department on an annual basis though the Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership as part of their budgetary approval process.
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$152,717 |
$152,717 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$118,038 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$118,038 |
$152,717 |
$152,717 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$118,038 |
$152,717 |
$152,717 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$118,038 |
$152,717 |
$152,717 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The Victim Witness Advocate I/II salary/benefits and internal service costs for FY 21/22 is $114,538 (75% of the year, annualized at $152,717) and one-time costs of $3,500 for computer equipment and related software. The funding will be provided Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership via California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109). The funding will be requested by the department on an annual basis through the Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Victim Witness Advocate II |
$5,002.13-$6,082.22 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
The Victim Witness Advocate I/II will provide comprehensive support and timely outreach to victims of crime while relieving the increased workload of our existing Victim Witness Advocates resulting from Marsy’s Law and California Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109).
Attachments:
1. Position Resolution
2. Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
n/a