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 from fiscal year 2023-24 through fiscal year 2025-26 for the purpose of funding a Restitution Specialist position 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 FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26. 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 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 2023-24 and FY 2025-26 the total cost of the Restitution Program is
$391,449. The CalVCB contract will fund $242,862 (62% of one FTE). The General Fund will fund $148,587 (38% of one FTE). The funds for the first two years have been included in the FY 2023-25 Recommended Budget.