COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Sheriff's Department

DATE:

April 18, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 7, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Don Horsley, Sheriff

SUBJECT:

RESOLUTION INCREASING PROGRAM FEES FOR THE SHERIFF'S WORK PROGRAM (SWP)

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing an increase in the Sheriff's Work Program Fees.

Background

The Sheriff's Office operates a Work Release Program pursuant to Penal Code Section 4024.2. Inmates with low-risk classification and a sentence of less than 60 days are eligible to participate in the program. Hours expended in public service in the program are credited to an inmate's sentence in lieu of jail time. On average there are 400 participants in this program. The program serves about 50 community, non-profit and County agencies. Last year the program provided over 370,000 hours of service to these agencies, with an estimated value of $2,590,000, computed at minimum wage. The program also saves the county about 46,000 jail bed days annually, and also generates revenue to partially offset its expenses in the form of program fees, as authorized by the Board under penal code 1208.2(b)(1). The annual direct cost of operating the program is $789,955.

Discussion

The current Work Program fee structure provides for a one-time application-processing fee of $55.00, daily per-diem fees of $15.00 per day spent in the program and a rescheduling fee of $30.00 per reschedule. These fees were established under Board Resolution No 63673 adopted June 6, 2000. The fees can be waived or reduced in cases where participants demonstrate hardship. This is in compliance with section 1208.2(g) of the Penal Code which states that "no person shall be denied consideration for, or be removed from, participation in any of the programs to which this section applies because of an inability to pay all or a portion of the program supervision fees". Since this last increase in fees, Sheriff's personnel cost and other operating expenses for custody alternative programs have increased by up to 12%. In order to cover increased program costs related to negotiated labor increases and operating costs for vehicles and supplies, it is proposed that these existing fees be adjusted for the new fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2002.

Vision Alignment

This program is an alternative to being incarcerated. The participants in this program are given the opportunity to live with their families in the community and also retain their regular jobs. They may also learn new skills or improve on their existing skills while in the program. The proposed aligns with Goal number 16: "Residents hold the majority of jobs created in the County," and Goal number 19: "The skill level of new workers rises with improved K-12 education and training options."

County Counsel

County has approved as to form.

Fiscal Impact

The revised fee structure would be effective July 1, 2002. The proposed fees are:

One-time * Application Fee $60.00 (+$5.00)

Per-Diem Participation Fee $20.00 (+$5.00)

Rescheduling Fee $35.00 (+$5.00)

The department has conducted an internal cost review, and the pro-rata cost of Work Program services and ancillary department support costs equals or exceeds revenue generated from these fees. We anticipate that combined Work program fees for FY2002/2003 will total approximately $684,534. The actual fees collected will depend on the participant's financial status and their ability to pay the fees. By express Court policy and statute, we do not deny admittance to any prospective participant in this program due to their ability or inability to pay the fees. Additionally, it is advantageous to keep the program fees affordable for the majority of inmates, so as to encourage maximum participation in the program.