Title
Receive a report on Sheriff’s Office
a. Support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget (1001-230013-60000) to add one (1) Sheriff’s Sergeant position and one (1) Accountant I position that will be assigned to the Jail Based Competency Treatment and Early Access and Stabilization Services programs as detailed in the contracts with the Department of State Hospitals; and
b. Support adopting a resolution authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriation in (1001-230013-60000) in the amount of $1,346,209 financed by the increase in revenue from the State of California Department of State Hospitals in (1001-230013-44285).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a. Support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget (1001-230013-60000) to add one (1) Sheriff’s Sergeant position and one (1) Accountant I position that will be assigned to the Jail Based Competency Treatment and Early Access and Stabilization Services programs as detailed in the contracts with the Department of State Hospitals; and
b. Support adopting a resolution authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriation in (1001-230013-60000) in the amount of $1,346,209 financed by the increase in revenue from the State of California Department of State Hospitals in (1001-230013-44285).
SUMMARY:
In 2019, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors (BOS) unanimously approved a contract between the Monterey County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to host a regional Jail Based Competency Treatment (JBCT) program, aimed at restoring to competency those inmates charged with felonies and found by the courts to be incompetent to stand trial. In 2024, the BOS approved a Memorandum of Understanding with California Health and Recovery Solutions to provide EASS to our incarcerated population.
In February 2025, the MCSO in collaboration with the Contracts and Purchasing Office, issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #10939 for jail medical, dental, psychiatric, JBCT, and EASS. Both JBCT and EASS were included in the scope of the RFP and the resulting contract with Correctional Healthcare Partners (CHPMONTEREY INC).
On November 18, 2025, the BOS unanimously approved the contract with CHPMONTERY INC to provide both JBCT and EASS. Under the new contract, JBCT services began January 1, 2026. Due to the DSH’s contract with California Health and Recovery Solutions, EASS could not transition to CHPMONTEREY INC until July 1, 2026.
DSH has agreed to a three-year contract with MCSO to ensure long-term program success, allow the Sheriff’s Office to capture cost of living increases, and be able to forecast budget costs for the life of the contract. Negotiations with DSH also allowed MCSO to add a Sheriff’s Sergeant to the Corrections Operations Bureau for increased supervision and oversight as well as an Accountant I position to ensure timely and accurate billing to Department of State Hospitals for reimbursement.
DISCUSSION:
The MCSO requests approval of this agreement to continue providing EASS services to the incarcerated population through CHPMONTEREY for individuals identified by DHS as felony incompetent to stand trial (IST) under Penal Code 1370. EASS serves as a critical early-intervention component within the competency-restoration continuum, ensuring that patients receive timely stabilization and restoration services while awaiting admission into the JBCT program or a DSH inpatient bed.
The JBCT program will continue to provide service to inmates in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. Monterey County's program has reduced local restoration timelines from a statewide average of 152 days to approximately 69 days, demonstrating the program's effectiveness and value.
The number of incarcerated people in the Monterey County Jail with mental health issues continues to grow. Both the EASS and JBCT programs have a set curriculum, established by the DSH, and will be administered by CHPMONTEREY INC. This curriculum includes classroom environment programming, counseling, and a therapeutic living environment that fosters socialization with other program participants.
The growth of the JBCT and EASS programs, along with new DSH program requirements, has created a clear need for dedicated staffing to maintain safe operations, compliance, and fiscal accountability. To meet these demands, DSH will continue its funding of two (2) existing Deputy Sheriff positions for JBCT and one (1) existing Deputy Sheriff positions for EASS.
The continued growth and operational complexity of the JBCT and EASS programs has created a clear need for additional dedicated staffing to ensure compliance, operational efficiency, and fiscal accountability. DSH agreed to fund one (1) Sheriff’s Sergeant position and one (1) Accountant I position, deeming them essential for the effective management, supervision, and financial administration of the program as it transitions to an actual expense reimbursement model.
A dedicated Sergeant will provide on-site supervision, strengthen accountability, and ensure deputies follow program-specific protocols. This position improves documentation accuracy, coordination with medical and program partners, and ensures compliance with DSH and Title 15 requirements. Because JBCT and EASS blend clinical and custodial operations, consistent supervisory oversight is critical to maintaining structure, communication, and adherence to State-mandated standards.
With JBCT and EASS transitioning from a daily bed-rate to an actual-expense reimbursement model, specialized financial management is essential. A dedicated Accountant will track and reconcile expenses, prepare monthly invoices, maintain audit-ready documentation, and ensure full reimbursement of allowable costs. Without this position, the County risks billing errors, delayed payments, and potential audit findings.
These DSH-funded positions are essential to the safe, compliant, and financially sound operation of the JBCT and EASS programs. Dedicated staffing ensures consistent supervision, accurate reporting, and the program stability needed to meet State expectations and support ongoing program success.
Both programs will continue to operate under a cost-neutral structure in which the county serves primarily as a fiscal and administrative pass-through.
This report will go to the Board of Supervisor on October 13, 2026.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Monterey County Human Resources Class & Compensation has approved the Requests to Classify for the two additional positions.
FINANCING:
The Sheriff’s Office is requesting an increase in Appropriations for FY 26-27 totaling $1,346,209 that will be financed by the increased revenues from DSH.
Prepared by: Timothy Lanquist, Chief Deputy, ext. #3887
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, ext. #3859
Approved by: Tina Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, ext. #3750
Attachments:
DSH JBCT Agreement
DSH EASS Agreement
Resolution
Attachment A