Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Stephen M. Wagstaffe, District Attorney
Subject: Submission of Annual Grant Proposals to the California Department of Insurance
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to submit annual grant proposals and enter into Grant Award Agreements with the California Department of Insurance for programs for the investigation and prosecution of automobile, workers’ compensation, and disability & healthcare insurance fraud from fiscal year 2018-2019 through fiscal year 2020-2021.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 1994, the Office of the District Attorney’s Automobile, Workers’ Compensation, and Disability & Healthcare Insurance Fraud Programs have been funded by grant monies applied for and received from the State of California as administered through the California Department of Insurance. Each year, in order to apply for and receive such grant monies for such projects, the Office of the District Attorney drafts and submits Board Memos and Resolutions authorizing the same.
The BOS had previously approved a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to submit annual grant proposals and enter into Grant Award Agreements with the California Department of Insurance. At the request of the California Department of Insurance, we have resubmitted the resolution to include specific language for the County of San Mateo to accept liability for the local program.
DISCUSSION:
In the interests of efficiency, the Office of the District Attorney is requesting that the Board authorize the District Attorney to apply for and accept the above-referenced grant monies through and including the Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Such “standing resolutions” would obviate the need for the District Attorney to prepare and submit Board Memos and Resolutions each year. Should the terms of the Grant Award Agreements differ substantially from the 2017-2018 agreement, the Office of the District Attorney will present the new agreements to the Board for approval. The Department of Insurance grants do not require a County match or the commitment of additional County funds.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Approval of the resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Safe Neighborhoods by allowing the District Attorney’s Office to continue to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud cases that are perpetrated by and against citizens of our community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Historically, after the subject grants have been approved by the California Department of Insurance, the combined insurance fraud grant programs have utilized all of the State grant funding. The District Attorney’s Office uses general fund money to pay for any remaining difference. In past years, this Board’s approval of the application and acceptance of these grants have had an insignificant impact on Net County Cost.