COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

 

DATE:

July 22, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

 

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 Discharging the Sheriff from Accountability for collection of delinquent and uncollectible accounts in amounts less than $50.00, the total of which is two thousand, two hundred ninety five dollars ($2,295.00).

 

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. In consideration of this service, participants are charged a $60.00 application fee, $20.00 per diem rate for each day they participate in the program, and a rescheduling fee of $35.00. These fees are set by the Board of Supervisors, and your board most recently approved these fees on May 7, 2002 by the adoption of Resolution No. 65244.

The charges are enforced in compliance with Penal Code §1208.2, 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 provides that any county officer who is charged by law with the collection of money which is due and payable to the county may apply to the board of supervisors for a discharge from accountability for the collection thereof if the amount is too small to justify the cost of collection, the likelihood of collection does

not warrant the expense involved, or the amount thereof has been otherwise lawfully compromised or adjusted. The Sheriff is requesting approval for a discharge of accountability for accounts that have proved uncollectible through department efforts, and the requested Board action will clear them from our accounts receivable. County Revenue Services will not process these accounts, as it is not cost-effective to attempt collection of amounts 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 and approved this resolution as to form.

 

Fiscal Impact

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