Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5ths
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) transferring district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $39,000 from Non-Departmental Services to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to implement a San Mateo County Fireworks Buy Back program for 2024.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 4 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 4 (Supervisor Slocum) - San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to implement a San Mateo County Fireworks Buy Back program for 2024 |
$39,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a transfer of funds from Non-Departmental Services to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, in an amount not to exceed $39,000, to implement a San Mateo County Fireworks Buy Back program for 2024.
In 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a number of amendments to Chapter 5.28 of the County’s Ordinance Code, known as the San Mateo County Fireworks Ordinance (“Fireworks Ordinance”). These updates were a result of residents of unincorporated areas continued reports of ongoing problems with unpermitted fireworks, including fireworks discharged from moving vehicles. These unpermitted fireworks discharges are most problematic around the Fourth of July holiday but posed concerns year-round as well. The approved amendments, passed on April 25, 2023, imposed spectator liability, clarified that a parent or guardian could be held strictly liable for a minor’s violation, and established that those who violate the ordinance are responsible for County response costs at the time of the first violation and provided for increased penalties in certain situations.
Last year, after the Fireworks Ordinance amendments were approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff’s Office held its first Fireworks Buy Back pilot program in North Fair Oaks to abate illegal fireworks activity in that community. Leading up to the actual Buy Back event, the Sheriff’s Office conducted an informational campaign in both Spanish and English, to educate the public on the laws related to, safety concerns associated with, and the “no tolerance” approach to the use of dangerous fireworks.
The Fireworks Buy Back event on June 25, 2023 gave cash incentives for the voluntary disposal of fireworks and other dangerous explosives. The event resulted in the seizure of approximately 400 pounds of dangerous fireworks and explosives, an impressive amount for a first-time event. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office reported a reduction in the calls for service on July 4th in North Fair Oaks compared to the prior year.
Based on the success of the 2023 event, the Sheriff’s Office would like to expand the Fireworks Buy Back program this year to include the Coast and North County in addition to North Fair Oaks. This request for $39,000 in Measure K district-discretionary funds will allow for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office’s Fireworks Buy Back program to expand to those areas and will be used to provide cash incentives (ranging from $5 to $120 based on the weight and/or type) for those surrendering fireworks/dangerous explosives and to offset some of the personnel costs associated with staffing the events.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $39,000
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Voluntary surrender of 600 pounds of fireworks from three Fireworks Buy Back events held in June 2024 on the Coast, in North County, and in North Fair Oaks. |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2023-24 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.