COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

DATE:

February 10, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 25, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley

SUBJECT:

Authorize the Sheriff to Execute HIDTA Agreements

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Sheriff or the Sheriff's Designee to execute agreements which involve the expenditure of federal and state funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and other related narcotics eradication initiatives.

Background

The Northern California HIDTA was created in 1997 to combat high intensity drug trafficking in geographic regions that featured inordinately high volume of drug traffic. The HIDTA serves as an administrative agency to administer federal and state funding to implement a variety of narcotics eradication initiatives.

Since 1997, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has served as the lead administrative agency for the Northern California HIDTA, and in that capacity receives, deposits and disburses HIDTA funding at the direction of the HIDTA Executive Committee. As well, from time to time, the Sheriff serves as Chair of the Northern California HIDTA Executive Committee.

Your board has previously authorized the Sheriff to execute HIDTA agreements in his capacity as Chair of the HIDTA Executive Committee.

Discussion

Even though the position of Chair of the HIDTA Executive Committee rotates between the committee members, the Sheriff continues to serve as the fiscal agent for HIDTA funding. In order to efficiently and effectively administer these important public safety initiatives, it is recommended that the Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee, acting in the capacity as fiscal agent for the HIDTA, be authorized to execute agreements which involve the expenditure of HIDTA funding and other federal and state funding for related cooperative multi-agency narcotics eradication initiatives.

The authority to sign the agreements will be subject to the policy direction of the HIDTA Executive Committee, and review as to form by the County Counsel, as the County of San Mateo will be a party to the agreements.

Vision Alignment

This project keeps the commitment to "ensure basic health and safety for all" and goals number 7 "Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors" and 22, "County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County."

Fiscal Impact

There is no fiscal impact on the County, as the funds involved in the HIDTA program and related narcotics initiatives are 100% state and federal funds, and no County funds are involved.