COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Sheriff's Office

DATE:

September 3, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 24, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Don Horsley, Sheriff

SUBJECT:

DISCHARGE FROM ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS FROM FORMER PARTICIPANTS IN THE SHERIFF'S WORK PROGRAM

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute a Discharge from Accountability under Section 25257 of the California Government Code et seq. for uncollectable accounts in the amount of five thousand, nine hundred seventy two dollars ($5,972.00) as per attached Exhibit "A".

Background

As an alternative to incarceration, the Sheriff's Work Program (SWP), allows participants to report on scheduled days to designated work sites where they perform public service and to return home in the evening. Participants are currently charged a $60.00 application fee, $20.00 per diem rate for each day they participated in the program and a rescheduling fee of $35.00. The Board of Supervisors in Resolution No. 65244 approved these fees on May 7, 2002.

The fees are also charged or waived in compliance with Section 1208.2 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." The department does, however, make a reasonable effort to collect all revenue, and also complies with the County policy by forwarding all delinquent accounts exceeding $50 to the County Revenue Services Department for collection.

Discussion

The Sheriff's Office is requesting authorization to clear these uncollectable fees from its books. California Government Code 25257 requires Sheriff's Office to obtain County Board Of Supervisors approval for a discharge of accountability before clearing them from its books.

The accounts for which we are requesting Discharge from Accountability have proved uncollectable through department efforts, and the requested Board action will clear them from our accounts receivable. Revenue services will not process these accounts, as it is not cost-effective to attempt collection of less than $50.

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. The proposed aligns with Goal numbers 7 & 8. This ensures no hardship is brought to the vulnerable citizens of the County and that they are given an opportunity to achieve a better quality of life.

County Counsel

The County Counsel has reviewed this resolution.

Fiscal Impact

There is no impact on the County's General fund, as these fees were not budgeted to be collected as revenue.