Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Stephen M. Wagstaffe, District Attorney
Subject: Agreement with California Victim Compensation Board
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to enter into an agreement with the California Victim Compensation Board for the purpose of funding a Restitution Specialist position from fiscal year 2026-27 through fiscal year 2028-29 in the amount of $242,862.
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BACKGROUND:
Beginning in 1997, the State Board of Control, now known as the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB), agreed to fund a Restitution Specialist position in the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office in order to aid victim restitution and services. The role of the Restitution Specialist is to assist the prosecuting attorney to secure Restitution orders in all cases involving a victim who filed a claim with the Board for specific crime imposition of restitution fines on all convicted offenders. The Board approved an amendment to the Salary Ordinance in December of 1997 and an appropriation transfer request in January 1998 to initiate the program in San Mateo County. Since 1997, the Board has renewed this application every year.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to the County’s application for funds, the California Victim Compensation Board has agreed to pay the County the sum of $242,862 for FY2026-27 through FY2028-29. The program supports one Restitution Specialist (Paralegal by county classification) who is responsible for coordinating restitution efforts in the District Attorney’s office. This includes notifying Deputy District Attorneys of cases in which restitution needs to be ordered to the CalVCB, tracking the disposition of cases until such restitution has been ordered, and reporting case status to the CalVCB.
Approval of the subject resolution will ratify the District Attorney’s endorsement of the contract with the California Victim Compensation Board for continuing this program effort.
This agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney’s office as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Approval of this resolution will allow the District Attorney’s Office to enter an agreement with the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) for the purpose of funding a restitution specialist position. The restitution specialist assists with the imposition of restitution on behalf of CalVCB for benefits paid to victims. This work is crucial in maintaining the health of the Restitution Fund for future victims.
FISCAL IMPACT:
For FY2026-29, the total cost of the Restitution Program is $594,219. The CalVCB contract will fund $242,862 (41% of one FTE). The General Fund will fund $351,357 (59% of one FTE). The funds for the first year are included in the FY2026-27 recommended budget. Similar arrangements are made for future years. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.