Approve the Law Enforcement Equipment Grant between the Sheriff’s Office and the California State Department of Parks and Recreation, adopt budget resolution to adjust the FY 2023-24 Approved Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol budget appropriations by $31,546 and authorize Tom A. Lopez, Yolo County Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator as signatory, and amend the 2023-24 Equipment List approving the use of grant funds to purchase a replacement inflatable watercraft, trailer, outboard motor and accessories for the Marine Patrol Section. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Lopez/Davis)

The Sheriff’s Boating Safety Program has been responsible for patrolling all waterways and conducting related search and rescue operations countywide since July 1973. The Boating Safety Section performs the vital function of ensuring citizen safety along the recreational waterways located within Yolo County.  Marine patrol operations are funded with Public Safety funds, County General funds, State operational boating safety grant funds and local boat property tax revenue.  While operational costs have increased over the past fiscal years due to both labor and non-labor cost increases, State operational boating safety grant awards have remained static.  Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office may not always be able to immediately replace or purchase equipment when needed. 
 
In March of 2023, the State’s Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced they had additional federal funds available for maintaining marine vessels and purchasing miscellaneous support equipment used to conduct boating safety activities for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The Sheriff’s Office submitted an application to purchase an inflatable watercraft and trailer to replace aged equipment and was awarded $31,546 in Law Enforcement Equipment Grant Funding. No matching funds are required from the County.  
 
Board approval is now requested for the grant agreement and adoption of the budget resolution. The Sheriff's Office is also requesting Board authority to amend the 2023-24 Authorized Equipment List and purchase the fixed assets.

County Counsel has approved the attached grant agreement and resolution as to form. Purchasing will assist with the acquisition of the fixed asset.

A formal Request for Proposals will be issued when beginning the purchasing process for these fixed assets.