To: Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney
Staff Name and Phone Number: Renate Amantite 565-3150
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
District Attorney Victim Services Restitution Fund Grant
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Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Approve a Resolution authorizing the District Attorney to renew the Criminal Restitution Compact Agreement with the California Victim Compensation Board in the amount of $226,758 for a three year term, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. Funds from this grant partially fund a Restitution Specialist who helps victims obtain mandated restorative payments from defendants.
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Executive Summary:
The District Attorney’s Office requests approval to sign an agreement with the California Victim Compensation Board to continue the collaborative partnership of the two agencies in helping meet the needs of victims of violent crimes. The Criminal Restitution Compact Agreement provides $226,758 in funding to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to pay 60% of the salary and benefits of a Restitution Specialist for three years, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. The District Attorney Restitution Specialist provides assistance to prosecuting attorneys to ensure proper imposition of restitution orders, court mandated restorative payments from offenders to victims.
Discussion:
The Victim Services Program was created by the passage of Section 13835 et seq. of the California State Penal Code which mandates local comprehensive centers for victim and witness assistance throughout California. The Sonoma County Victim Services Division is one of the special programs designed to reduce the trauma and insensitive treatment victims and witnesses may experience following a crime. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to helping crime victims and their families reorganize and reclaim their lives. The California Victim Compensation Board is the State agency that provides compensation for victims of crime with reimbursement for crime-related expenses. County jurisdictions are also provided with funds that are used to facilitate the administrative needs of clients seeking California Victim Compensation Board assistance. In Sonoma County, California Victim Compensation Board funds support the District Attorney’s Victim Services Claims Unit which helps victims of crime understand the restitution process, determines the financial impact of crimes, ascertains eligibility requirements to file claims for restitution, and assists victims with filing claims to the court; our staff seeks to make the criminal justice system more understandable, accessible, and responsive to the concerns of victims and their families.
The contract of this Board Action provides $75,586 per year for a three year term and averages 60% of the total salary and benefits costs of the existing Restitution Specialist position. The California Victim Compensation Board has provided funds for restitution work since 1979. The funding used to meet the full position costs. Like many grants, the funding level has not kept up with the increases in salary and benefit costs and has required supplemental funding with the use of county general funds. During this contract term the general fund cost is estimated to be $48,079 for FY 19/20, $50,723 for FY 20/21, and $53,199 for FY 21/22.
The Restitution Specialist works in conjunction with the Claims Unit to file and administer California Victim Compensation Board based claims. The Restitution Specialist is also responsible for ensuring that the victims of crime are provided with appropriate court orders and that mandated restitution fines and fees are either imposed on the defendant at the time of sentencing or an order for restitution is reserved to be determined at a later date. To accomplish this, the Restitution Specialist works closely with victims, Deputy District Attorneys, Superior Court, Probation Department, and California Victim Compensation Board. The Restitution Specialist attempts contact with each victim, explains their legal rights regarding restitution orders and helps them prepare restitution requests. The Restitution Specialist is regularly in court with victims and their families and assists in presenting restitution requests to the court. Once the court has made an order, the Restitution Specialist work directly with the defendants and victims and sets up a payment plans in an effort to help in the goal of making victim is “made whole” again.
Prior Board Actions:
The Board of Supervisors has authorized the District Attorney to renew agreements with California Victim Compensation Board to assist Sonoma County victims of violent crimes since 1997.
On June 20, 1017 the Board of Supervisors authorized renewal of the current California Victim Compensation Board Criminal Restitution Contract Agreement for the two year term of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Projected |
FY 20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$123,665 |
$126,309 |
$128,785 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
$48,079 |
$50,723 |
$53,199 |
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State/Federal |
$75,586 |
$75,586 |
$75,586 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$123,665 |
$126,309 |
$128,785 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
State revenue of $75,586 per year for three years General Fund of $48,079 for FY 2019/2020, $50,723 for FY 2020/2021, and $53,199 for FY 2021/2022.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Not applicable. No position changes.
Attachments:
Resolution
Cal VCB Grant Standard Agreement
Cal VCB Grant Contract Exhibits A-D
Cal VCB Grant Board Summary
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A