COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Sheriff’s Office

DATE:

November 26, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 16, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths vote

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Greg Munks, Sheriff

SUBJECT:

FY 2008-09 Funding Extension to Secure Medium Security Facility

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request transferring $197,840 from Non-Departmental Reserves to the Sheriff’s budget for continued security costs for the Medium Security Facility in La Honda.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The Sheriff is responsible for the care and custody of all incarcerated adult offenders in San Mateo County. Maintaining the Medium Security Facility (MSF) for the temporary housing of inmates displaced by construction of a new jail, emergent overcrowding, or significant facility capital maintenance need that may occur before the new facility has been completed enhances the County’s ability to operate safe, secure and healthy correctional facilities.

BACKGROUND:

In May 2008, the County approved the rehabilitation of the Medium Security Facility in La Honda in preparation for it to serve as a temporary correctional facility to house displaced or overcrowded inmates before or during the construction of the replacement of the Maple Street Correctional Facilities currently under plan by the County. The rehabilitation of the Medium Security Facility was completed in July 2008 and the FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget includes an appropriation for the Medium Security Facility security costs through December 31, 2008. Security at the facility is required due to its remote location and prior theft and vandalism.

To date, the County is not ready to require the use of the Medium Security Facility to house inmates. This recommendation extends the facility security funding through June 30, 2009.

DISCUSSION:

Currently, the security costs include one 24/7 contract security guard ($21,500/month), and County service charges by the Department of Public Works ($3,050/month) and the Information Services Department ($840/month) for minimum facility maintenance, utilities and data lines.

In October 2008, the Sheriff’s Office issued a request for proposal for a remote security monitoring system to replace the 24/7 security guard services, which would reduce the ongoing, annual security requirements by at least $200,000. The vendor selection is in process with anticipated contract start in January 2009.

The appropriation transfer request of $197,840 to extend the Medium Security Facility security funding through the remainder of the fiscal year includes the estimated one time remote security system installation costs and the ongoing County service charges by DPW and ISD. It also includes three additional months of contract security guard costs required until the new remote system is in place.

The remote security system one time set up cost is estimated at $110,000, with an annual maintenance charge of $25,000. This is considerably lower than the ongoing, annual contract security guard cost of $260,000.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this report as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This action will result in a Net County Cost of $197,840 in FY 2008-09, representing the one time cost of a remote security system installation, an additional three months of contract security guard services, and County service charges.

The ongoing cost of $65,000, which provides for the remote security system annual maintenance ($25,000) and County service charges ($40,000), will be funded with existing resources in the Sheriff’s FY 2009-10 budget.