COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DATE:

March 10, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 23, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Greg Munks

SUBJECT:

Countywide Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) FY 2009-10 Budget

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution approving the Countywide Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) FY 2009-10 Budget, totaling $747,073, as recommended by the VTTF Advisory Board.

BACKGROUND:

Operating under the administration of the Countywide Narcotics Task Force (CNTF), the VTTF was established in 1994 to coordinate the activities of local, County and state law enforcement agencies involved in the prevention and investigation of vehicle thefts in San Mateo County. The VTTF provides specialized enforcement, covert surveillance, technical expertise and training to all San Mateo County Law Enforcement agencies. Additionally, the VTTF provides vehicle theft prevention education to a variety of community groups.

The VTTF is currently under the command of Sheriff’s Lieutenant Marc Alcantara who is responsible for the planning and day-to-day operational management of the VTTF. The VTTF Advisory Board is comprised of Sheriff Greg Munks, District Attorney James Fox, California Highway Patrol - Redwood City Captain Greg Hammond, the San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriff’s Association representative, Pacifica Police Chief James Saunders and Supervisor Mark Church.

The VTTF’s annual operating budget is primarily derived from funds generated by Vehicle Code Section 9250.14, which authorizes the County to collect a $1 fee from vehicle registrations to pay for anti-vehicle theft programs. The County is required to issue an annual fiscal year end report to the State Controller summarizing the total revenues received and the total revenues expended. The VTTF Commander prepares the annual report, which is then reviewed and approved by the Advisory Board. Because the VTTF board is only advisory, the budget is submitted to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

DISCUSSION:

The VTTF is comprised of one Special Agent Supervisor and three Special Agents. A Sheriff’s Sergeant currently supervises the activities of the VTTF under the direction of the CNTF/VTTF Commander. Special Agents assigned to the VTTF currently consist of a South San Francisco Police Corporal, a California Highway Patrol Officer, and a San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff.

The VTTF Budget takes into consideration the dual responsibilities of four designated CNTF/VTTF positions. For instance, the CNTF/VTTF Commander theoretically devotes 10% of his time directing the operational needs of the VTTF; A Sheriff’s Administrative Sergeant dedicates 10% of his time to the VTTF; and two Legal Office Specialists each dedicate 25% of their time to VTTF clerical duties. Additional expenses include officer overtime pay, operating expenses, County service charges, and vehicle replacement. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and the South San Francisco Police Department incur a 25%-of-actual cost (salary & benefits) for their contribution of personnel to the VTTF. The California Highway Patrol currently provides an Officer at no cost to the VTTF.

The VTTF continues to struggle financially. The FY 2008-09 Budget of $842,816 covered gross appropriations of $832,484 by the slim margin of $10,332. This was accomplished by drastic reductions in overtime, vehicle and equipment expenditures.

With limited revenue, and operating expenses continuing to rise, it was necessary to further reduce expenses in FY 2009-10. The FY 2009-10 funding cap is projected to be $747,073. To meet the constraints of the projected budget, the VTTF made across the board cuts for overtime and equipment. The CHP agreed to forego all reimbursement and both the Sheriff’s Office and the SSFPD agreed to reduce the 2009-10 rebate of 90% to 75%. These reductions resulted in the VTTF Budget of $747,073 covering the projected gross appropriations of $689,266 by a margin of $57,807.

County Counsel has approved the resolution as to legal form.

Approval of the VTTF budget will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a healthy community by continuing VTTF’s valuable services which significantly impact the abatement of vehicle theft crime in San Mateo County.

PERFORMANCE MEASURE(S):

Measure

CY 2008
Actual

CY 2009
Projected

Counties statewide percentage of vehicle theft vs registered vehicles

Vehicle Thefts: 1.21%

Registered Vehicles: 2.21%

Vehicle Thefts: 1.4%

Registered Vehicles: 2%

Recovery rate of stolen vehicles

(State Avg. vs. County)

State: 87%

County 80%

State 87%

County85%

* While the CY2008 stolen vehicle recovery rate in San Mateo County is 7% lower than the state average, San Mateo County represents less than 1.1% of all vehicles stolen in California. San Mateo County actually recovered 195 more vehicles in 2008 than in 2007. There were 2,291 vehicle recoveries in CY 2007 vs. 2,486 vehicle recoveries in CY 2008. VTTF is currently awaiting the CY 2009 state statistical report.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The VTTF FY 2009-10 Annual gross appropriations are $689,266, a decrease of $143,218 (approximately 17%) from the FY 2008-09 gross appropriation of $832,484. This decrease was a result of a reduction in salary/benefit rebates, overtime, equipment, service contracts, and the elimination of vehicle replacement. The Net County Cost is $134,419, a 37% ($84,335) increase from FY 2008-09, and has been included in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget.