Title
a. Approve and authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Monterey County Superior Court in the amount of $144,766, to provide a pre-trial text reminder program for AB 109 Public Safety Realignment eligible clients, for the term from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019; and
b. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where each amendment does not exceed ten percent ($14,476) of the original agreement amount and does not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Monterey County Superior Court in the amount of $144,766, to provide a pre-trial text reminder program for AB 109 Public Safety Realignment eligible clients, for the term from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019; and
b. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where each amendment does not exceed ten percent ($14,476) of the original agreement amount and does not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY:
The Probation Department is recommending approval of the MOU with The Monterey County Superior Court to implement a pre-trial text reminder program (funded by AB109) for fiscal year 2018-2019.
DISCUSSION:
AB 109 Public Safety Realignment allocates funding to counties for mandates related to adult offenders who have been realigned from the State to local jurisdictions. The Probation Department serves as lead agency and fiscal agent for the implementation of the AB 109 Public Safety Realignment plan. Funding is allocated for custody, supervision and treatment services.
The Public Safety Realignment plan for Monterey County was developed by the local Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) and approved by its Executive Committee and Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The Probation Department is responsible for implementation and financial oversight of the AB109 Public Safety Realignment plan, distributing a total of $14,802,025 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 to local organizations and county agencies supporting the AB 109 Public Safety Realignment community programs in Monterey County.
The Monterey County Superior Court has been allocated funding in the amount of $144,766 to provide a pre-trial text reminder program to reduce failure to appear (FTA) rates. The auto text program will allow for reminders to defendants on upcoming court appearances. Reduction of FTA rates will in turn reduce the number of warrants issued, the staff time and labor of Court personnel in processing those warrants, and staff costs for law enforcement serving the warrants. In addition, program will reduce incarceration rates and encourage rehabilitation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The MOU has been supported by the CCP with active participation by the Courts and was approved by County Counsel as to legal form.
FINANCING:
Funds in the amount of $144,766 associated with this recommendation are allocated from AB 109 Public Safety Realignment. Funding for all AB 109 programs has been approved by the CCP, authorized in the current State budget and included in Probation’s Recommended Budget, Unit 8165 for FY 2018-19. There is no additional cost to the County General Fund associated with this recommendation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives of a) Administration by increasing efficiencies in the County and Court systems, and reducing staff time in processing warrants for FTAs; and b) Public Safety by reducing incarceration rates and encouraging rehabilitation.
__ Economic Development
_X_ Administration
__ Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
_X__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Wendi Reed, Management Analyst II, ext. 3985
Approved by: Marcia Parsons, Chief Probation Officer, ext. 3913
Attachments:
Attachment A: MOU with The Monterey County Superior Court - Pre-trial Text Reminder Program, FY18-19