Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Authorize the Sheriff’s Office to accept Vehicle Registration Fees Under AB 767 (Section 9250.14 of the California Vehicle Code) to Deter, Investigate and Prosecute Vehicle Theft Crimes; and
b. Request the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to increase the one dollar ($1) vehicle registration fee authorized pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14 to two dollars ($2) ; funding will be used by the Sheriff’s Office to support local programs targeting vehicle theft crimes; and
c. Request the DMV to increase from two dollars ($2) to four dollars ($4) the registration fee for commercial vehicles pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14(a)(3); and
d. Commence collection of the fee of two dollar ($2) or four dollar ($4) for commercial vehicles on vehicle registrations within the County of Monterey, effective July 1, 2025.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt Resolution No. to:
a. Authorize the Sheriff’s Office to accept Vehicle Registration Fees Under AB 767 (Section 9250.14 of the California Vehicle Code) to Deter, Investigate and Prosecute Vehicle Theft Crimes; and
b. Request the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to increase the one dollar ($1) vehicle registration fee authorized pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14 to two dollars ($2) ; funding will be used by the Sheriff’s Office to support local programs targeting vehicle theft crimes; and
c. Request the DMV to increase from two dollars ($2) to four dollars ($4) the registration fee for commercial vehicles pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14(a)(3); and
d. Commence collection of the fee of two dollar ($2) or four dollar ($4) for commercial vehicles on vehicle registrations within the County of Monterey, effective July 1, 2025.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Historically the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit subsidized staffing in the Auto Theft Task Force. The Auto Theft Task Force used to be a multi-agency task force comprised of municipal agencies, the CHP and MCSO but over time became MCSO with CHP and DA support. The Sheriff’s Office only funded one deputy sheriff with the VLF revenue for assignment to the Auto Theft Task Force. The California Highway Patrol has pulled back from the Auto Theft Task Force until such time that it is a multi-agency task force with dedicated supervision.
The current revenue received by VLF in Monterey County provides approximately $400,000 per year which is split between the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s office leaving insufficient funds within the Sheriff’s Office to cover the full cost of the deputy sheriff assigned to the auto theft task force.
The auto theft rate in Monterey County is well documented. The annual California Highway Patrol Vehicle Theft Report documents that nine hundred ninety-seven (997) vehicles were stolen in Monterey County in 2023. CHP also reported the recovery of eight hundred-forty-four (844) stolen vehicles. Additionally, the costs associated with investigating and prosecuting vehicle theft crimes have risen sharply in the thirty (30) years since the passage of Board resolution 93-198. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking to increase the VLF to expand the auto theft task force by adding a dedicated supervisor with our deputy sheriff and creating a funding stream for municipal partners to share if they choose to join the auto theft task force.
California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14 previously authorized counties, upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of supervisors, to collect a fee of one dollar ($1.00) paid at the time of registration or renewal of registration of every vehicle registered in that county, except those vehicles exempt from payment of registration fees. The same vehicle code section previously authorized counties, upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of supervisors, to collect a service fee of two dollars ($2.00) paid at the time of registration or renewal of registration of every commercial vehicle subject to 9400.1 VC registered in that county, except those vehicles exempt from payment of registration fees. The existing law requires fees collected as authorized by California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14 be continuously appropriated to local programs related to vehicle theft crimes.
Board resolution 93-198, passed on May 25th, 1993, authorized Monterey County to collect the one dollar ($1.00) vehicle licensing fee. These funds have been used throughout Monterey County to deter, investigate, and prosecute countless vehicle theft crimes. The one dollar ($1.00) fee has not been updated or increased at any time since its adoption on May 25th, 1993.
On January 1st, 2014, AB 767 (Levine) revised Section 9250.14 of the California Vehicle Code to authorize that upon adoption of a resolution by any county board of supervisors, that the previous one dollar ($1.00) fee shall be increased to a fee of two dollars ($2.00), and that the previous two dollar ($2.00) fee for commercial vehicles shall be increased to four dollars ($4.00). This additional funding is needed to continue successful investigation and prosecution of auto theft crimes in Monterey County. The current proposed VLF increase would at a minimum double the revenue collected form VLF for auto theft investigation and is projected be approximately $800,000 per year.
FINANCING:
This request will not impact the net county cost in fiscal year 2024-2025 or in subsequent years.
Upon approval of this resolution, the Controller of the State of California will be notified, thereby authorizing the disbursement of monies owed to the county based on Monterey County’s concurrence with the amended Vehicle Code and authorization by resolution by its Board of Supervisors. This process may take up to six months after resolution approval, so the goal of the Sheriff’s Office is to expand the Auto Theft Task Force in FY2025-26.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This contract meets the Board’s strategic initiatives by “Improving the health and quality of life of county residents” and “Creating a safe environment of people to achieve their full potential”.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Ben Fowler, Management Analyst III, Ext #5517
Reviewed by: Eddie Anderson, Chief Deputy, Ext#3754
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, Ext#3859
Approved by: Tina M. Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, Ext #3750
Attachments:
Board Report
Resolution