Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Stephen M. Wagstaffe, District Attorney
Subject: Agreement with Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to enter into an agreement with the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from fiscal year 2019-20 through fiscal year 2021-22 for the purpose of funding a Restitution Specialist position in the amount of $235,791.
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BACKGROUND:
Beginning in 1997, the State Board of Control, now known as the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB), 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 Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board has agreed to pay the County the sum of $235,791 for FY 2019-20 through FY 2021-22. 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 VCGCB, tracking the disposition of cases until such restitution has been ordered, and reporting case status to the VCGCB.
Approval of the subject resolution will ratify the District Attorney’s endorsement of the contract with the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for continuance of this program effort.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
Approval of the Resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Safe Community by assisting victims of violent crimes in obtaining restitution.
FISCAL IMPACT:
For FY 2019-20 and FY 2021-22 the total cost of the Restitution Program is
$371,709. The VCGCB contract will fund $235,791 (63% of one FTE). The General Fund will fund $135,918 (37% of one FTE). The funds for the first two years have been included in the FY 2019-21 Recommended Budget.